1. Victim and Witness Rights
- Ohio Attorney General – Crime Victim Services
Offers guidance on victim rights, compensation programs, legal advocacy, and emotional support for victims of crime. - Ohio Crime Victim Compensation Program
Provides reimbursement for medical bills, lost wages, relocation, and counseling costs related to victimization.
2. Free and Low-Cost Legal Aid Programs
- Ohio Legal Help
Offers court forms, legal guides, and referrals for issues such as stalking, protection orders, and harassment. - Ohio Legal Services
Provides legal representation for low-income Ohioans dealing with civil issues like abuse, defamation, or bullying.
3. Relevant Laws
- Stalking: Ohio Rev. Code § 2903.211 (Menacing by Stalking)
What it means: Engaging in behavior that causes another to believe they are in danger of physical harm or mental distress. Includes cyberstalking and electronic surveillance. - Harassment: Addressed under menacing and telecommunications laws (e.g., § 2917.21)
What it means: Covers unwanted and alarming communications made via phone, text, or internet with the intent to harass or intimidate another person. - Bullying: No adult criminal statute. Addressed under Ohio Rev. Code § 3313.666 (Education Code)
What it means: Public schools must implement anti-bullying and harassment policies. Policies must address cyberbullying and outline complaint processes. - Defamation: Civil tort, not criminal. Based on Ohio case law and precedent.
What it means: Victims may sue for libel or slander if false statements have caused reputational or economic harm. Ohio does not criminalize defamation.
4. Reporting and Hotlines
- Call 911 in emergencies or immediate danger situations.
- Non-emergency reports may be made to your local police or filed at the municipal or common pleas court.
- Ohio Domestic Violence Network (ODVN)
Connects survivors to shelters, legal advocacy, and counseling services across the state. - Statewide Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-934-5651
Provides 24/7 confidential support, referrals, and legal information statewide.
5. Support Organizations
- Ohio Domestic Violence Network
Provides trauma-informed services, training, and public policy advocacy for survivors of abuse and stalking. - CHOICES for Victims of Domestic Violence
Offers emergency shelter, legal support, and crisis response in central Ohio, including Columbus and surrounding counties.
6. Civil Remedies and Protection Orders
Victims in Ohio can file for Civil Protection Orders (CPOs) in domestic or non-domestic situations, depending on their relationship to the abuser. Orders can prohibit contact, surveillance, or threats and are enforceable by law enforcement. Courts and legal aid services offer filing assistance and representation.
Important Note on Jurisdiction: If the individual you are seeking a restraining order against lives in a different state, your local court may not have jurisdiction to enforce that order. In most cases, you must file for protection in the state where that individual resides or where the conduct occurred. This applies even in situations involving online harassment, defamation, or stalking. Contact legal aid services in both your state and the other person’s state for guidance.
7. Youth and School Resources
- Ohio Department of Education – Anti-Bullying Resources
Provides requirements for school district policies, student protections, and reporting tools for bullying and cyberbullying.
8. Court Forms and Filing Help
- Ohio Supreme Court – Protection Order Forms
Offers court-approved forms and detailed instructions for filing protection orders related to stalking, harassment, and abuse.
9. Online Safety and Privacy Tools
- NNEDV Tech Safety Toolkit
Provides resources to help survivors manage digital security, prevent cyberstalking, and secure personal information online.
Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
