Domestic Violence in Ohio

17 verified resources.

About Domestic Violence for Fathers

Domestic violence resources for men have grown significantly over the past decade. The National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE) accepts calls from any gender, and the Stop Abusive and Violent Environments (SAVE) helpline and ManKind Initiative are dedicated to male victims. Every state has a coalition against domestic violence, and most cities have shelters — though male-specific shelter capacity remains limited. Men can obtain protective orders in family court, request supervised visitation, and work with victim advocates attached to local prosecutor offices. For fathers falsely accused of domestic violence during custody disputes, a criminal defense attorney or family law attorney with DV experience is critical. This directory includes national hotlines, state coalitions, men's shelters where available, and protective order resources.

Domestic Violence in Ohio

Ohio has dedicated Domestic Relations Courts and Juvenile Courts (which handle paternity and unmarried-parent custody) in most counties. The Office of Child Support operates under JFS. Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo, and Akron anchor the major metros. The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland, Southeastern Ohio Legal Services, Legal Aid of Western Ohio, and Community Legal Aid cover the state.

17 Resources

1. Ohio Domestic Violence Network (ODVN) — Free

Statewide coalition supporting local domestic violence programs with training, technical assistance, advocacy, and public policy work across all 88 Ohio counties. ODVN coordinates the Ohio DV hotline network and connects survivors to emergency shelter, legal advocacy, and counseling resources statewide. Call 614-781-9651 or email info@odvn.org Mon-Fri 8am-5pm to find your nearest local domestic violence program.

614-781-9651 · 4807 Evanswood Dr, Suite 201, Columbus, OH 43229 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

2. National Domestic Violence Hotline — Free

24/7 confidential hotline providing crisis intervention, safety planning, and referrals to local domestic violence resources for survivors and concerned family members nationwide, including all Ohio residents. Advocates are trained to help callers assess safety and connect to local shelters and services. Call 1-800-799-7233 or text START to 88788 anytime. TTY: 1-800-787-3224. Chat available at thehotline.org.

1-800-799-7233 · National (serves all Ohio residents) · 24/7 · Visit Website

3. CHOICES Domestic Violence Shelter (Columbus) — Free

Provides emergency shelter at a confidential Columbus location, individual counseling, legal advocacy, safety planning, and community support services for survivors of domestic violence in Franklin County. Available 24/7 — call the crisis line at 614-224-4663 anytime. Office services available Mon-Fri 9am-5pm. Email info@choicescolumbus.org for non-emergency inquiries. Serves adults and children fleeing abuse.

614-224-4663 · Columbus, OH (confidential location) · 24/7 crisis line; office Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

4. Domestic Violence & Child Advocacy Center (Cleveland) — Free

Serves survivors of domestic violence and child abuse in Cuyahoga County and the Cleveland area with emergency shelter, legal advocacy, individual and group counseling, and children's therapeutic programs. Available 24/7 — call the crisis line at 216-391-4357 anytime. Located at 2999 Euclid Ave, Cleveland. Email info@dvcac.org for non-emergency inquiries. Interpreter services available. No one is turned away.

216-391-4357 · 2999 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44115 · 24/7 crisis line; office Mon-Fri 9am-5pm

5. Women Helping Women (Cincinnati) — Free

Provides 24/7 crisis intervention, individual and group counseling, legal advocacy, safety planning, and support groups for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in the Greater Cincinnati area. Call the crisis line at 513-381-5610 anytime. Office services Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm. Located at 215 E 9th St, Suite 200, Cincinnati. Email info@womenhelpingwomen.org for non-emergency inquiries. All services are free and confidential for survivors and their children.

513-381-5610 · 215 E 9th St, Suite 200, Cincinnati, OH 45202 · 24/7 crisis line; office Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm · Visit Website

6. Artemis Center (Dayton) — Free

Serves domestic violence survivors in the Miami Valley and Dayton area with emergency shelter at a confidential location, advocacy, legal services, safety planning, and children's programming. Available 24/7 — call the crisis line at 937-461-4357 anytime. Email info@artemiscenter.org for non-emergency inquiries. Serving adults and children escaping domestic violence across Montgomery and surrounding counties. All services are free.

937-461-4357 · Dayton, OH (confidential shelter location) · 24/7 crisis line; office Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

7. Legal Aid Society of Columbus - DV Advocacy — Free

Free civil legal services for low-income domestic violence survivors in central Ohio, including assistance obtaining civil protection orders, custody modifications, divorce, and housing matters related to abuse. Call 614-241-2001 Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm or email info@columbuslegalaid.org. Income eligibility applies. Bring documentation of your legal issue, any police reports, and proof of income when contacting for intake.

614-241-2001 · 1108 City Park Ave, Columbus, OH 43206 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm · Visit Website

8. YWCA of Greater Cleveland - DV Services — Free

Provides emergency shelter, crisis counseling, legal advocacy, support groups, and transitional housing for domestic violence survivors in the Greater Cleveland and Cuyahoga County area. Available 24/7 — call the crisis line at 216-391-3400 anytime. Office services Mon-Fri 9am-5pm. Located at 4019 Prospect Ave, Cleveland. Services are free for survivors and their children. No one is turned away due to inability to pay.

216-391-3400 · 4019 Prospect Ave, Cleveland, OH 44103 · 24/7 crisis line; office Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

9. YWCA Dayton - DV Shelter & Services — Free

Emergency shelter at a confidential location and comprehensive services for domestic violence survivors in the Dayton area including individual counseling, legal advocacy, safety planning, and children's therapeutic programs. Available 24/7 — call the crisis line at 937-222-7233 anytime. Office services Mon-Fri 8am-5pm at 141 W Third St, Dayton. Visit ywcadayton.org for information. All services are free and confidential for survivors and their children.

937-222-7233 · 141 W Third St, Dayton, OH 45402 · 24/7 crisis line; office Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

10. HelpLine of Delaware & Morrow Counties — Free

Provides 24/7 crisis intervention, domestic violence support, safety planning, and referrals for survivors in Delaware and Morrow counties north of Columbus. Call 1-800-684-2324 anytime for immediate crisis support or shelter referrals. Located at 11 N Franklin St, Delaware, OH 43015 for daytime in-person services. All services are free and confidential. Interpreter services available upon request for non-English speakers.

1-800-684-2324 · 11 N Franklin St, Delaware, OH 43015 · 24/7 · Visit Website

11. Turning Point (Toledo) — Free

Provides emergency shelter at a confidential Toledo-area location, individual counseling, legal advocacy, safety planning, and community education for domestic violence survivors in Northwest Ohio. Available 24/7 — call the crisis line at 419-243-3223 anytime. Office services Mon-Fri 8am-5pm. Visit turningpoint6.org for information. All services are free and confidential. Interpreter services available upon request.

419-243-3223 · Toledo, OH (confidential shelter location) · 24/7 crisis line; office Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

12. Victim Assistance Program - Akron — Free

Provides crisis intervention, safety planning, court and legal advocacy, and referrals to local services for domestic violence survivors in Summit County and the Akron area. Available 24/7 — call the crisis line at 330-376-0040 anytime. Office services Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm. Located at 526 S Main St, Suite 827, Akron. Visit victimassistanceprogram.org for more information. All services are free and confidential.

330-376-0040 · 526 S Main St, Suite 827, Akron, OH 44311 · 24/7 crisis line; office Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm · Visit Website

13. COMPASS Family & Community Services (Youngstown) — Free

Provides domestic violence emergency shelter, individual counseling, legal advocacy, and 24/7 crisis intervention for survivors in the Mahoning Valley and Youngstown area. Call the crisis line at 330-747-2696 anytime. Office services Mon-Fri 8am-5pm. Located at 535 Marmion Ave, Youngstown, OH 44502. Visit compassfamily.org for information. All services are free and confidential. Serves adults and children escaping abuse.

330-747-2696 · 535 Marmion Ave, Youngstown, OH 44502 · 24/7 crisis line; office Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

14. Eve Center (Canton) — Free

Emergency domestic violence shelter serving Stark County and the Canton area with 24/7 crisis intervention, individual counseling, legal advocacy, safety planning, and children's therapeutic services. Shelter location is confidential. Call the crisis line at 330-453-7233 anytime day or night. Office services Mon-Fri 8am-5pm. All services are free and confidential. Serves adults and their children fleeing domestic violence.

330-453-7233 · Canton, OH (confidential shelter location) · 24/7 crisis line; office Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

15. Ohio Attorney General - Victim Services — Free

Statewide victim services through the Ohio Attorney General's office including crime victim compensation for out-of-pocket expenses, victims' rights enforcement, and referrals to local services for survivors of domestic violence and other crimes across all 88 Ohio counties. Call 1-800-582-2877 Mon-Fri 8am-5pm. Located at 30 E Broad St, Columbus. Visit ohioattorneygeneral.gov for compensation application forms and eligibility information.

1-800-582-2877 · 30 E Broad St, Columbus, OH 43215 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

16. Batelle for Kids - Safe Schools (Columbus) — Free

Works with Ohio school districts on domestic violence awareness programs, trauma-informed safety planning for students, and connecting families to local domestic violence resources. Helps schools build protocols that support children living in homes affected by domestic violence. Call 614-481-3141 Mon-Fri 8am-5pm. Located at 1100 Superior Ave E, Cleveland, OH 44114. Visit battelleforkids.org for school partnership resources.

614-481-3141 · 1100 Superior Ave E, Cleveland, OH 44114 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

17. Crisis Text Line – Ohio DV Support — Free

Free 24/7 confidential text-based crisis support for Ohio residents experiencing domestic violence, abuse, or trauma. Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a trained crisis counselor via text message. Particularly helpful for those who cannot speak safely during a domestic violence situation. Responses typically within minutes. Available in English and Spanish. No registration or insurance required to use this free service.

Text HOME to 741741 · 24/7/365 · Visit Website

Domestic Violence — Common Questions

Can men be victims of domestic violence?
Yes — roughly 1 in 9 men experience severe physical violence by an intimate partner. The National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE) and ManKind Initiative serve male victims. Stigma is a major barrier, but the legal protections (protective orders, DV charges) are available to men in every state.
What if I'm falsely accused?
Take it seriously even if untrue. Consult a criminal or family law attorney immediately; don't speak to police or the accuser without counsel. Document your whereabouts, witnesses, communications. Most protective orders can be challenged at a full evidentiary hearing within 10–21 days of initial issuance.
How do I get a protective order?
File a petition at your county's family court or civil court — no attorney required. Temporary ex parte orders can issue same-day; a full hearing typically follows within two to three weeks. Court self-help centers and DV advocates help fill out forms at no cost.
Are there shelters for men?
Male-specific DV shelter capacity is limited but exists in some cities (through organizations like Valor, ManKind, and certain state coalitions). Most DV agencies will arrange hotel placement or referral to emergency shelter for male victims when shelter-specific housing isn't available.