"Domestic Violence" is a crime under Ohio Revised Code (R.C.) Section 2919.25. Actual acts of physical violence, attempts at physical violence, and threats of physical force against a "family or household member" are generally acts of unlawful domestic violence. "Family or household member" includes a spouse, a former spouse, an intimate partner or "significant other" who is living or has previously lived with the abuser, the parent of the victim’s child, the victim’s or abuser’s children or parents, and any other person related to the abuser or the victim by blood or marriage. Except for situations in which the victim and the abuser have a child in common, the victim and the abuser must either be living together or have lived together sometime in the past. A victim may file a petition for a civil protection order without filing criminal charges against the abuser. A motion for a criminal temporary protection order may only be filed when the victim also files criminal charges against the abuser, but a petition for a civil protection order may be filed at any time. Both a civil protection order and a criminal protection order may order the claimant to stop the abuse and to stay away from the victim. A civil protection order will remain in effect for a longer period of time and can provide additional relief such as temporary support, temporary custody of the children, possession of the family home, and possession of the family car, household goods, or other personal property. |
