Civil Protection Orders, protecting victims and their families. Domestic Violence is not just about physical abuse, but can be emotional, and effects both Men and Women.
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You may hear people talk about “Restraining Orders.” These are not the same as protection orders. Restraining Orders are usually part of a divorce case, are not enforced by the police, and have little value in a dangerous situation. Read the terms carefully if you receive one.
There are different kinds of Protection Orders available to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking. Depending on who the perpetrator is, what happened, and other factors, there are differences in where, when and how you seek these orders, what they do, and how long they last. The charts below provide basic information on each, and then detailed information follows. Ohio has jurisdiction over these cases as long as some of the acts occurred in Ohio, regardless of where the perpetrator lives. In Protection Order cases, the person who files the motion for the Protection Order is the “Petitioner” and the accused perpetrator is the “Respondent.” |
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Legal Assistance for Survivors
The Ohio Domestic Violence Network has provided a legal assistance program since 2010 to provide legal services to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking who cannot be assisted through traditional legal aid programs. Using a panel of vetted attorneys from around Ohio working on a reduced fee basis, ODVN assists eligible survivors whose income is at or below 225% of the federal poverty level. Attorneys help with a wide range of legal needs including divorce, parenting time, protection orders, immigration, housing, employment, and other issues. Survivors are screened and referred in by trained advocates at a range of programs including domestic violence shelters and programs, anti-poverty organizations, rape crisis centers, and culturally specific programs around Ohio. ODVN also conducts outreach to serve marginalized survivors who are incarcerated, returning from prison, homeless and runaway youth, and low-income women of color. Our legal program is funded by a variety of private and public sources. ODVN’s legal program also assists incarcerated battered women through a variety of strategies including clemency, parole education, and Self Help Legal Manuals for women in prison. These efforts have been generously funded by the Ohio State Bar Foundation. ODVN’s legal program also convenes a legal advocacy caucus for legal advocates and develops and provides materials and training on an ongoing basis to support the work of legal advocates. We also provide continuing legal education events for attorneys in Ohio. To seek legal assistance, please contact your local domestic violence program or rape crisis center. Women Helping Women Cincinnati 513-381-5610 YWCA of Greater Cincinnati Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Services 513-872-9259 |
Safety – Get Help Now
If you are in immediate danger, call 911 24 Hour YWCA Hamilton County Domestic Violence Hotline Crisis counseling, risk assessment, information, referrals, safety planning, and support for survivors in Hamilton County 24 hours a day. LOCAL: 513-872-9259 TOLL FREE: 888-872-9259 TEXT: 513-436-3606 CHAT: rc.chat/ywca 
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You can develop a safety plan by thinking about...
• When and where are you in danger? Is it at home, work, daycare, appointments, or somewhere else? Plan for what to do, who to turn to, where to go, and how to escape.
• If you live with your partner, when do you feel unsafe? What might help you feel safer? Consider leaving home at certain times or having someone come over.
• If you are leaving your partner, what do you need to take that would be hard to replace or get later? ID, phone, money, credit cards, birth certificates, keys, medications, communication or medical devices, immigration or legal documents, or comfort items.
• Where will you go if you leave or if there is an emergency? Friends, family, a hotel, or a shelter? Have more than one option if you can!
• Will your partner harm or track you through technology? Do they have your passwords? People can easily be tracked through electronic devices, including phones, tablets, and computers.
• How are you doing emotionally? That matters too! Abuse makes people feel ashamed, confused, doubt themselves, and deny how bad things are. Never forget how strong you are to have survived so far.
• Can you talk with someone you trust? Consider developing a code word or signal if you need to call for help.
• What about money? Do you have access to money? Can your partner sabotage your finances?
• How can you support your children? Where should they go if violence happens (a room in the house, the neighbors, etc.) Decide if you want them to call 911 and if so, show them how. If your partner has visitation, how can that be safer? (exchange children with others present, in a public place, etc.)
• When and where are you in danger? Is it at home, work, daycare, appointments, or somewhere else? Plan for what to do, who to turn to, where to go, and how to escape.
• If you live with your partner, when do you feel unsafe? What might help you feel safer? Consider leaving home at certain times or having someone come over.
• If you are leaving your partner, what do you need to take that would be hard to replace or get later? ID, phone, money, credit cards, birth certificates, keys, medications, communication or medical devices, immigration or legal documents, or comfort items.
• Where will you go if you leave or if there is an emergency? Friends, family, a hotel, or a shelter? Have more than one option if you can!
• Will your partner harm or track you through technology? Do they have your passwords? People can easily be tracked through electronic devices, including phones, tablets, and computers.
• How are you doing emotionally? That matters too! Abuse makes people feel ashamed, confused, doubt themselves, and deny how bad things are. Never forget how strong you are to have survived so far.
• Can you talk with someone you trust? Consider developing a code word or signal if you need to call for help.
• What about money? Do you have access to money? Can your partner sabotage your finances?
• How can you support your children? Where should they go if violence happens (a room in the house, the neighbors, etc.) Decide if you want them to call 911 and if so, show them how. If your partner has visitation, how can that be safer? (exchange children with others present, in a public place, etc.)
Abuse defined Domestic violence (also referred to as intimate partner violence (IPV), dating abuse, or relationship abuse) is a pattern of behaviors used by one partner to maintain power and control over another partner in an intimate relationship. Domestic violence doesn’t discriminate. People of any race, age, gender, sexuality, religion, education level, or economic status can be a victim — or perpetrator — of domestic violence. That includes behaviors that physically harm, intimidate, manipulate or control a partner, or otherwise force them to behave in ways they don’t want to, including through physical violence, threats, emotional abuse, or financial control. Multiple forms of abuse are usually present at the same time in abusive situations, and it’s essential to understand how these behaviors interact so you know what to look for.
Children and domestic violence
Children who experience abusive situations are forced to process complex emotions, often without access to the resources they need to do so. Planning for your children’s physical and emotional health is essential for their short-term and long-term wellbeing, no matter how old they are.
Remind them that their first responsibility is their own safety even if they want to protect you or someone else in a moment of crisis. Teach them that you want everyone to be safe and that the preparations you’re making are to ensure their safety and everyone else’s during an emergency.
Your partner may try to use your children to harm you by also abusing them, or by threatening, harassing, or manipulating you or your children depending on the situation. Examples include preventing you from seeing your children, calling or threatening to call police or immigration enforcement to gain custody of your children, humiliating you in front of them, using your children to monitor your behavior, or lying to your children to turn them against you.
Never blame your children for their responses to your partner’s abusive behavior especially if they intentionally or unintentionally reveal your plan to leave. Make sure they know the violence isn’t their fault and that abuse is never okay, even when it comes from someone they love.
It’s important that your children have access to people other than yourself who they feel comfortable talking with and expressing themselves to.
Help them identify these people in their life and make sure they can contact them when needed. If possible, enroll them in a culturally relevant counseling program or therapy specializing in child counseling. Many domestic violence shelters offer children’s counseling – contact a Hotline advocate today to find out what local resources are near you.
Above all else, remind your children that you’re there for them and that you love them unconditionally.
Children who experience abusive situations are forced to process complex emotions, often without access to the resources they need to do so. Planning for your children’s physical and emotional health is essential for their short-term and long-term wellbeing, no matter how old they are.
Remind them that their first responsibility is their own safety even if they want to protect you or someone else in a moment of crisis. Teach them that you want everyone to be safe and that the preparations you’re making are to ensure their safety and everyone else’s during an emergency.
Your partner may try to use your children to harm you by also abusing them, or by threatening, harassing, or manipulating you or your children depending on the situation. Examples include preventing you from seeing your children, calling or threatening to call police or immigration enforcement to gain custody of your children, humiliating you in front of them, using your children to monitor your behavior, or lying to your children to turn them against you.
Never blame your children for their responses to your partner’s abusive behavior especially if they intentionally or unintentionally reveal your plan to leave. Make sure they know the violence isn’t their fault and that abuse is never okay, even when it comes from someone they love.
It’s important that your children have access to people other than yourself who they feel comfortable talking with and expressing themselves to.
Help them identify these people in their life and make sure they can contact them when needed. If possible, enroll them in a culturally relevant counseling program or therapy specializing in child counseling. Many domestic violence shelters offer children’s counseling – contact a Hotline advocate today to find out what local resources are near you.
Above all else, remind your children that you’re there for them and that you love them unconditionally.
