The Supreme Court of Ohio has released a comprehensive suite of educational resources to mark National Stalking Awareness Month. These materials, accessible through OhioCourtEDU, are designed to equip judges and legal professionals with updated tools to address domestic violence, strangulation, and stalking cases.

A collection of online courses is now available for judicial officers and court personnel. This suite includes the course "Misuse of Technology in Domestic Violence & Stalking," which addresses modern challenges in abuse cases. Additional courses in the bundle include "The Impact of Intimate Partner Violence on Children & Families," "The Many Faces of Intimate Partner Violence: A Strangulation Case Review," and a dedicated course titled "Stalking."

In addition to the online coursework, the Court has published written guides to assist the judiciary. "Understanding Domestic Violence Firearms Prohibitions"  outlines federal and state laws regarding firearms prohibitions related to domestic violence. These laws aim to restrict firearm access under specific circumstances, such as protection orders or misdemeanor domestic violence convictions.

With the passage of strangulation as a specific felony offense (R.C. 2903.18) in 2023, two additional publications focus on specific physical violence indicators. "Non-Fatal Strangulation/Suffocation: What Every Judge Should Know" and "Non-Fatal Strangulation/Suffocation: Four Common Myths" provide factual information to help judges identify and adjudicate cases involving these dangerous forms of assault.

These offerings enhance the judiciary’s ability to understand these complex cases. By providing specialized training on technology misuse, family impact, and physical trauma, the resources ensure that legal professionals are prepared to recognize lethality factors and administer justice in matters involving stalking, strangulation, and domestic abuse.

National Stalking Awareness Month is an annual observance to educate the public about stalking as a serious under-reported crime, which involves repeated, unwanted behaviors that instill fear for the person’s safety, or the safety of family or household members, or cause mental distress. Learn more at StalkingAwareness.org. and supremecourt.ohio.gov/stalkingreport.