Domestic Violence Safety and Housing

Please note. This guide shares general information only. It is not legal, financial, tax or professional advice. Laws vary by state and city. For advice about your situation, talk with a licensed professional.

Hi friend. If someone is hurting you, scaring you or controlling you, please hear this: it is not your fault, and you deserve to be safe. There are people in Ohio ready to help, any time, day or night.

Here is the easy first step: call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1.800.799.7233, or text START to 88788. It's at no cost, private and open 24/7, and they can help you find a local program near you. Your county's own 24 hour line is in the list later in this guide.

A few things to know

• You choose. You are the expert on your own safety. Use what feels right for you and skip anything that doesn't.
• Each place decides who it can serve. We share what each place says it offers and how to reach it. We can't promise a bed, money or a spot in any program.
• Be careful with your phone and computer. If someone checks your devices, use a phone or computer they can't see, like at a library or a friend's house.
• In danger right now? Call 911. Thinking about suicide or in crisis? Call or text 988.

Who can I call right now?

You can call even if you're not sure it's "bad enough." Advocates listen, help you think through your choices, and never judge.

• National Domestic Violence Hotline: call 1.800.799.7233, text START to 88788, or chat at thehotline.org. It says it's at no cost, confidential and open 24/7.
• The Ohio Domestic Violence Network (ODVN) has a Find Help search for local programs across Ohio. ODVN says if you can't find a program that meets your needs, call 1.800.934.9840 or 614.781.9651 and they can help you find one.
• ODVN also says not all programs are emergency shelters. Many offer legal advocacy, support groups, counseling and housing help.
• Your county's 24 hour line is in the county list later in this guide.

Sources: https://www.thehotline.org/ and https://www.odvn.org/find-help/

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A quick exit

Many hotline websites have a quick exit button that takes you off the page fast. On a shared device, you can also use a private or incognito window. Little things like that can help you stay safe.

How do I know if it's abuse?

Abuse isn't only hitting. The National Domestic Violence Hotline says even one or two of these behaviors in a relationship is a red flag that abuse may be present:

• Telling you that you never do anything right.
• Extreme jealousy, or keeping you away from friends and family.
• Insulting or shaming you, especially in front of others.
• Stopping you from making your own choices, like working or going to school.
• Taking your money or refusing money for things you need.
• Pressuring you into sex, drugs or alcohol.
• Threatening looks or actions, or threats to hurt or take your kids or pets.
• Scaring you with weapons, or destroying your things or your home.

If any of this sounds familiar, you can call an advocate just to talk. No one deserves abuse of any kind, for any reason.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.thehotline.org/identify-abuse/domestic-abuse-warning-signs/

How do I make a safety plan?

A safety plan is a simple, personal plan for staying safer, whether you stay, are thinking about leaving, or have already left. An advocate at the National Domestic Violence Hotline or your local program can help you make one.

You don't have to have it all figured out to reach out. One call is enough for today, friend.

From the Bunklow team

Where can I stay if I need to leave?

ODVN's Find Help search lists local domestic violence programs by city or ZIP code. Hotline advocates can also connect you to local help.

• Shelter locations are kept private for safety. Call the program's 24 hour line to get in.
• In Lucas County, the YWCA of Northwest Ohio says it runs the only emergency domestic violence shelter in the county, with 24/7 intakes.
• In Hamilton County, YWCA Greater Cincinnati says its shelters operate 24 hours a day, and its hotline is TTY accessible.
• If a program is full, ask them to help you find another safe place, or call ODVN at 1.800.934.9840 during business hours, or the National Hotline any time.

Sources: https://www.odvn.org/find-help/ and https://www.ywcanwo.org/dv-services and https://ywcacincinnati.org/domestic-violence-support

How do I get a protection order in Ohio?

In Ohio, a court order to keep an abuser away is called a Civil Protection Order (CPO). A Domestic Violence CPO protects you from a family or household member.

A Dating Violence CPO protects you from someone you are or were recently dating. Here's what Ohio Legal Help says:

• You don't need a lawyer to apply, but one can help. Advocates can help at no cost and may go to court with you.
• File at the Domestic Relations Court where you live, where the abuser lives or where the abuse happened. You must go to the clerk's office in person to file.
• If you ask for an emergency order, the court holds an "ex parte" hearing the same day you file. The abuser does not attend.
• The court then holds a full hearing, whether or not you got the emergency order.
• Ohio Legal Help says there's no fee to file for a protection order.
• Questions about the details? Check the official page below, including how long an order can last, and decide what's right for you.
• If the person breaks the order, call the police.

This is general information, not legal advice. For help with your situation, talk with an advocate or a lawyer. See Guide 13 for no cost legal help.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.ohiolegalhelp.org/topic/dv-dating-cpo

Can I keep my new address private?

Ohio has a program called Safe at Home, run by the Ohio Secretary of State. It helps survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, rape, sexual battery or menacing by stalking keep their address and phone number out of public records.

• You, or someone you live with, may apply if you're a survivor of one of these crimes. You can apply if you live, work or go to school in Ohio.
• You apply with a certified application assistant, who works for a program that serves survivors. Find one online or call 614.995.2255.
• If you're approved, you get a substitute P.O. Box address to use instead of your real address, and the program forwards your mail. The BMV may also put the Secretary of State's address on your driver's license or state ID.
• Safe at Home works best if you've recently moved or are about to move. It is not a witness protection program or a full safety plan.

Sources: https://www.ohiosos.gov/secretary-office/office-initiatives/safe-at-home/ and https://www.ohiosos.gov/public-integrity/safe-at-home/frequently-asked-questions

What housing help is there if I'm a survivor?

If you live in HUD assisted housing, like public housing or a Housing Choice Voucher, HUD has extra protections for survivors through VAWA. HUD says:

• Survivors shouldn't lose their home or help because of abuse committed against them.
• Survivors shouldn't be turned away because of things the abuse caused, like an eviction record or bad credit.
• Can ask the housing provider for an emergency transfer for safety reasons.
• Can ask to have the abuser removed from the lease.
• Survivors can ask that information about the abuse be kept confidential. Questions about the details? Check the official page below, and decide what's right for you.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.hud.gov/vawa

What about ending a lease early? If you rent and need to leave, talk with an advocate or legal aid about your lease before you move. See Guide 13.

Can I get help paying for costs from a violent crime?

The Ohio Attorney General runs the Crime Victims Compensation Program. It may pay you back for costs from a violent crime, like medical and counseling bills, lost work and funeral costs.

It generally can't pay for property.

The Attorney General says you may be eligible if all of these are true:

• The crime was reported to law enforcement, and the victim cooperated with law enforcement's requests.
• The victim was not committing a crime that caused or added to the injuries, except in homicide claims.
• The victim has costs not fully covered by other sources, like insurance or workers' comp.
• You're the victim, the dependent of a homicide victim, or paying some of the victim's costs.

Ask your local domestic violence program for help applying.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/individuals-and-families/victims/apply-for-victims-compensation/

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Kids and pets, too

When you call a program, tell them about your kids and pets. Ask what support they have for children, and if they can help with a safe place for your pet. You're doing so great by asking.

Sources: https://www.ohiolegalhelp.org/topic/dv-dating-cpo and https://www.thehotline.org/ and https://www.hud.gov/vawa

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You are not alone

Reaching out takes so much strength. Whatever you decide, you deserve to be safe, and there are people ready to help. I'm so glad you're here.

Who can I call in my county?

Here are domestic violence programs near you, from the ODVN directory and each program's own site. Shelter addresses are kept private, so call to get help.

If your county isn't listed, call 1.800.799.7233.

Federal help (works in every state)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Ohio

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Franklin County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Cuyahoga County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Hamilton County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Summit County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Montgomery County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Lucas County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Butler County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Stark County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Lorain County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Warren County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Lake County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Mahoning County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

My safety plan

Fill this in only if it's safe to keep. You can also just memorize it. You've got this!

Key numbers to keep

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Please let me know if you have any questions

If something in this guide is out of date, tell us and we'll fix it. You deserve to be safe and happy. Take care, friend.

About this guide

Made by the Bunklow team. No sign up, no paywall, no cost. Please share it with anyone who could use it. Bunklow does not run these programs and cannot speak for them. We list what each place says it offers and how to reach it, and you decide what to use. This is not a full list of every place that can help. Every source was checked on October 18, 2026. If something has changed, please tell us so we can fix it. We are always happy to hear from you!

Please note. This guide shares general information only. It is not legal, financial, tax or professional advice. Laws vary by state and city. For advice about your situation, talk with a licensed professional.

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Last updated October 18, 2026