For someone who has experienced domestic violence, safety can be enhanced by a protection order, carefully planned attendance at a hearing, and courts taking timely actions in cases. Across the Ohio judicial system, practices and partnerships have been built to protect domestic violence victims as they take the steps needed to remove themselves from violent circumstances and move forward. The protocols established by courts, advocates, and others help ensure victim safety throughout both the legal process and at the courthouse.

Protection Orders
Among the safety options for someone experiencing domestic violence are protection orders that courts can issue. Ohio Legal Help, a statewide online legal tool, explains the different options, including a “domestic violence civil protection order.” Ohio Legal Help notes that a judge can order protection for up to five years. The order can also include children or other family and household members if they are in danger. If violated, police can arrest the offender, or the victim can request that the court find the person in contempt for violating the protection order. The offender could face fines, probation, or jail time.

Individuals requesting a civil protection order can complete the paperwork on their own as they have time. Ohio Legal Help has an online “Forms Assistant” to guide people step by step through filling out the documents. The mobile-friendly tool also explains the different parts of the process and identifies people and organizations that can assist.

Although an individual isn’t required to have an attorney to request a civil protection order from a court, an attorney can be helpful to the process, Ohio Legal Help states. Some courts also have special departments to help a victim through the process, and there are community advocates who can also assist.

In Franklin County, there is the Family Protection Center, where people can receive assistance with completing and filing civil protection orders in a secure and supportive environment. Judge James Brown of the Franklin County Domestic Relations and Juvenile Court took on the project of creating the center, which today has six liaisons, a full-time attorney, and two staff members from the Center for Family Safety and Healing to support victims.

Victims are urged to keep a protection order with them to show police if it needs to be enforced and to give copies to others who may need it, such as a child’s school or employer, if comfortable sharing it. The Family Protection Center offers Hope Cards, which are wallet-sized cards with details to help law enforcement quickly verify a protection order’s validity.

Safety at Courthouses
It’s also imperative for domestic violence victims to feel safe when they need to be at a courthouse.
Guidance for Ohio specialized dockets involving domestic violence includes several safety recommendations. According to the materials, which can be applied broadly for courts that handle any domestic violence matter, a safer and more secure courthouse can be fostered by:

• Sufficient security personnel well trained in domestic violence issues and handling potentially volatile situations.
• Dedicated domestic violence court staff with training.
• Staggered arrival and departure times for victims and offenders to avoid contact in hallways and parking lots.
• Safe and separate waiting areas for domestic violence victims.
• A clearly marked information desk or central location for public inquiries with an ability to respond to those with limited English proficiency.
• Readily available and accessible information about the court as well as other services available on-site or off-site.

Separate, Secure Waiting Areas
The Toledo Municipal Court has a waiting room for domestic violence victims that is staffed with individuals from the Toledo Prosecutor’s Office and victim advocates from the Lucas County Prosecutor’s Office. Prosecutors use the space to interview victims and to help them feel safe while waiting for their cases to be called. Court Administrator C. Lisa Falgiano said that advocates for domestic violence victims provide emotional support and procedural information in the specially designated space for victims who need to appear for scheduled court hearings. Advocates also act as liaisons between the victim in the waiting room and the prosecutor in the courtroom to share case information and updates.

Falgiano said they recognized that a separate waiting area keeps victims physically separated from defendants and their supporters, reducing the risk of intimidation, harassment, or retaliation in hallways and shared seating areas.

“That separation also protects the integrity of proceedings, since a victim who feels safe is more likely to appear, testify fully, and stay engaged with the case,” she said.

The court renovated the waiting room this summer with new furniture, carpet, lighting, and paint, to make the space more welcoming and help put victims and family members at ease. The renovations were funded by a grant awarded by the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, the Office of Criminal Justice Services, the Office on Violence Against Women, and the U.S. Department of Justice’s STOP Formula Grant Program.

Plans for Court Proceedings
Kelli Anderson, who supervises a domestic violence specialized docket in Summit County Common Pleas Court, said the court has a set of preventive measures aimed at protecting domestic violence victims during the course of legal proceedings.

She explained that grand juries for domestic violence cases are scheduled on a day separate from other types of cases at the court. In cases not being heard by a grand jury, court dockets and materials identify witnesses who will be testifying and when. But before their grand juries convene in domestic violence cases, there typically is no public record of the witnesses scheduled to testify on a particular date, she said.

During trials or when giving a victim impact statement in court, victims are accompanied by a domestic violence advocate, Anderson said.

“Victims have been met in a building adjacent to the courthouse and walked to court prior to being called to testify,” she said. “Extra deputies are also in the courtroom to keep order and to protect.”

Falgiano mentioned similar measures in Toledo. She said they have court security bailiffs “who take extra care with security oversight of these cases.”

“They will escort people to their car or sometimes hold people back from leaving after a trial so that parties and supporters aren’t all leaving at the same time,” she said.

Such measures align with national recommended best practices. Other recommendations include courthouse security briefings for high‑risk cases before hearings; conducting standardized risk assessments to identify dangers and to adjust security accordingly; and written court protocols for responding to intimidation, stalking, or violations inside the courthouse.

Protecting Personal Information
Safety can be improved further by case management systems that provide confidentiality. Certain court rules also prohibit courts from making certain personally identifying information for victims available online.

Safe at Home is an Ohio program to make the personal information of certain crime victims and survivors confidential. Those who have experienced domestic violence are part of the group. Individuals apply to participate in the program, which is offered through the Secretary of State’s Office and partially funded by the Ohio court system. Once enrolled, participants receive a substitute address they can legally use for voter registration, government correspondence, and other official records. Participants’ addresses, phone numbers, and other identifying details are hidden from public records, reducing the risk of being located and harmed again.

Courts are encouraged to share news of events, initiatives, programs, and other announcements with Court News Ohio. Ideas can be submitted to CNO@sc.ohio.gov.