Eight people lost their lives to domestic violence-related homicides in Summit County last year—more than the previous five years combined. The alarming increase is prompting local advocates to strengthen both community responses and prevention efforts aimed at addressing the root causes of violence. At the same time, online communities often referred to as the “manosphere” have grown significantly in influence, promoting harmful messages about gender, relationships, and masculinity that are increasingly reaching boys and young men.
Hope & Healing Survivor Resource Center (formerly known as Battered Women’s Shelter and Rape Crisis Center) seeks to address both issues through system change, emergency response, and prevention education.
In partnership with the Summit County Domestic Violence Fatality Review Committee, Hope & Healing recently released its 2025 Domestic Violence Fatality Review Report to examine patterns, identify gaps, and strengthen coordinated responses to prevent future loss of life. The report found that most offenders had a prior history of violent crime, highlighting the need for better training amongst law enforcement and parole officers.
One of the most concerning findings of the report was that only one victim in the cases reviewed had accessed community-based services prior to their death. Hope & Healing is committed to increasing awareness of the resources they offer, including a 24/7 hotline, shelter, hospital accompaniment, therapy, and more.
While improving system responses can save lives, long-term prevention also requires addressing the attitudes and beliefs that contribute to violence before it occurs. Some of the most effective prevention strategies are already being put into action at Hope & Healing: teaching healthy relationship skills, training in bystander intervention, and engaging men and boys as allies in creating safe spaces.
Boys are constantly receiving harmful messages about what it means to “be a man.” Two thirds of young men regularly engage with masculinity influencers on the internet who hook them in by validating their feelings of loneliness and redirecting their frustration toward women. The “manosphere” is presented as empowering to men and boys, yet is destroying their mental health and reshaping how they think and act.
To combat this damaging trend, Hope & Healing Survivor Resource Center will host a two day Summer Symposium titled “Shifting the Culture: Boys, Men, and the Manosphere” on June 29-30, 2026 from 9:30am – 3:00pm at East Akron Neighborhood Development Corporation (550 S Arlington St, Akron, OH 44306).
Presented in partnership with A Call to Men, a national organization helping to create a world where men and boys are loving and respectful, and women, girls, and those at the margins are valued and safe, the event is free and lunch will be provided at no cost. Hope & Healing’s Director of Prevention, Julius Payne, explains, “We want to unpack this, talk about the narratives, how to create counter-narratives, and see what is impacting our youth today.”
Anyone who has a direct influence on boys and young men (teachers, coaches, community members) is encouraged to attend and can even submit their own message about manhood to encourage and empower the next generation by emailing juliusp@hope-healing.org.
Interested attendees are asked to register by June 21.
The increase in domestic violence-related homicides in Summit County is a call to action. Learn the signs of domestic violence. Check in on those around you. Promote healthy masculinity. Believe survivors when they disclose. Everyone has a role to play in supporting survivors.
If you or someone you know needs support, Hope & Healing’s 24-hour hotline is available by call or text at 330-374-1111.
