ONE STORY A DAY / Una historia para cada Día. In recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month 2024, Latina Today Podcast Series in collaboration with the Hispanic Chamber Cincinnati, are celebrating the achievements, contributions and successful stories of Ohio Latino / Hispanic champions.
As an incest child survivor and witness to domestic violence, Sandra Deida a mother of four adult children knew early in life she was determined to break the cycle of sexual and physical abuse that plagued not just her immediate family but other family members for generations. Today, Sandra works tirelessly to educate and empower those impacted by sexual assault and intimate partner violence.
Sandra began her journey of victim advocacy in 1999 when she joined (Templum House) now currently known as Journey Center and Healing. She works in the women’s shelter providing support and encouragement, empowering victims to survive through their stories. This is where Sandra gained her knowledge on the cycle of violence and sexual victimization.
In 2003, Sandra became a registered advocate for the state of Ohio and an advocate for the Cuyahoga County Witness/Victim Services Center, an arm of the County’s Department of Public Safety and Justice Services. Working in conjunction with Cleveland Division of Police Domestic Violence Unit detectives, City of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Prosecutors office, her countless contributions enable the Unit to serve as a one-stop shop, as detective’s partner with victim advocates when making the initial contact and while engaging the victim during the interview process as well as the judicial walk.
Ms. Deida understands and appreciates the importance of working with detectives to successfully prosecute difficult cases while taking the practical steps necessary to achieving victim safety and offender accountability as she conducts intakes with each victim and offers resources such as counseling, protection orders, emergency housing, lethality risk assessments and safety planning.
Ms. Deida has always been proactive during her career as a victim advocate, receiving extensive training in relationship violence and sexual assault, and regularly attending and lending her voice at community events in hopes of making changes and saving lives. She generously volunteers her time at the LGBT Center of Greater Cleveland, The Haven Home, Hispanic Police Officer’s Association, and countless community organizations. Ms. Deida became a Reiki practitioner in 2019. She believes in living life consciously and owning your power.
