Domestic Violence

The Mahoning County Domestic Relations Court gives high priority to allegations of domestic violence which the Court recognizes is one of the most difficult social problems of our time.  

VALU:

 The Court works cooperatively with the Volunteer Advocate Legal Unit (VALU), a special project of Community Legal Aid that is independent of the Court.  VALU is staffed by a coordinator and volunteers who receive special training to assist victims by walking them through the legal process of filing Petitions for Civil Protection Orders, filing them with the Clerk of Courts and accompanying them through hearings.

The hours of operation for VALU are Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. depending on availability of volunteers.  The VALU office can be reached at 330-742-5856 or 330-742-5857.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COORDINATOR:

 In 2016, the Court secured a grant from the Department of Justice under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) that enabled it to hire a Domestic Violence Coordinator whose responsibility is to provide safety planning, community referrals and supportive services to persons seeking protection orders.  The Coordinator also facilitates support groups for survivors of domestic violence.  

The Coordinator can be reached at 330-740-2208.

Click on the following links for helpful information and resources for victims of domestic violence.

www.sojournerhouse.com:  Mahoning County’s Domestic Violence Hotline and Shelter (330-747-4040)

www.thehotline.org:  The National Domestic Violence Hotline (800-799-7233)  TTY:  800-787-3224

www.helphotline.org:  Mahoning County Community Resource Database (211)

www.childhelp.org:  The National Child Abuse Hotline (1-800-4-A-Child) (1-800-422-4453) 

www.whengeorgiasmile.org/the-aspire-news-app:    A Free Application which contains summaries of top stories in world, sports and entertainment news from the When Georgia Smiled: Robin McGraw Foundation.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE FORMS:

 The Ohio Supreme Court has developed uniform forms to facilitate the domestic violence process.   This Court has also developed forms for special proceedings. The following forms can be downloaded for filing:

General Information about Domestic Violence Civil Protection Orders
How to Obtain a Domestic Violence Civil Protection Order
How to Complete a Petition for a Domestic Violence Civil Protection Order
Petition for Domestic Violence Civil Protection Order
Information for Parenting Proceeding Affidavit
Domestic Violence Ex-Parte Civil Protection Order
Consent Agreement and Domestic Violence Civil Protection Order
Full Hearing Civil Protection Order
Motion to Modify CPO
Motion for Contempt of CPO
Motion to Terminate CPO
Motion to Renew CPO
Motion to Modify CPO
Motion for Return of Weapon(s)