New online tool helps victims of stalking and sexual assault in Ohio obtain a protection order

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – An Ohio nonprofit has developed a tool to help victims of stalking or sexual assault obtain a restraining order from the court.

Ohio Legal Help has developed a tool to assist victims in obtaining a civil protection order by differentiating between the types of protection orders, illustrating how to go through the paperwork and gather evidence, and offering advice.

The free tool is available at all times and features an exit button in the bottom left corner of the screen that takes the user to the Google homepage in case they feel unsafe and need to quickly leave the site. The page also includes a chatbot to help users quickly find the information they are looking for.

In Ohio, stalking increased by nearly 32% between 2016 and 2022, according to a report from the state Department of Public Safety. In 27% of cases, domestic partners were the victims, and in about 81% of cases, women were the victims.

An estimated 13.5 million people are stalked annually nationwide. Stalkers threaten their victims by unexpectedly showing up at their homes, workplaces, or even family members’ homes. They also frequently harass their victims with unwanted messages and contact family members, friends, and coworkers, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Stalking can often have deadly consequences—54% of female murder victims reported stalking to police before they were killed, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

A civil protection order requires a person who has committed abuse to refrain from doing certain things in the future, such as contacting the victim, making threats, or even approaching the victim. The civil protection order can be valid for up to five years and can be extended for an additional five years. No lawyer is required to obtain a civil protection order and there are no costs involved.

A civil protection order can be obtained when a stalker exhibits a pattern of behavior (two or more instances) that causes a victim to believe they are being physically harmed or emotionally distressed. This behavior may include harassing phone calls, following a victim to their home, or monitoring the victim’s social media or phone usage.

A protection order for sexual offenses serves to protect victims of rape, sexual abuse, sexual coercion, child seduction and other sexual offenses.

Anyone who is a victim of stalking or a sex crime can apply for an order; a criminal complaint is not required. Ohio Legal Help warns that a civil protection order is not a guarantee of safety and advises victims to weigh the risks of such an order.