Ohio Publishes Updated Domestic Violence Handbook
The state's new guide for police covers trauma-informed response, risk assessment and strangulation recognition, with regional training starting in November.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Sex Crimes
Ohio published an updated domestic violence handbook for law enforcement in April 2026, developed by the Ohio Domestic Violence Network and the Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services. The state is supporting seven free regional training sessions on the handbook, the first scheduled for November 18.
Why it matters
The handbook gives officers guidance on identifying the primary aggressor, assessing risk and recognizing strangulation, areas that shape how intimate-partner violence calls are handled. Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey said survivors may hesitate to report abuse or continue with a case because of the barriers they face.
Ohio's fatality report counted 134 deaths across 101 intimate-partner-violence cases from July 2025 through June 2026, with 49% of cases involving a victim trying to leave. The report does not show how many of these cases have resulted in charges or court outcomes.
The players
Ohio Domestic Violence Network
A statewide coalition that works to end domestic violence and support survivors across Ohio, and co-developed the new handbook.
Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services
A state agency that administers criminal justice funding and programs, and co-developed the handbook with the network.
Charmaine McGuffey
The Hamilton County sheriff who spoke about barriers survivors face in reporting abuse and pursuing cases.
The details
The handbook covers trauma-informed responses, identifying the primary aggressor, assessing risk, recognizing strangulation, body-worn cameras, animal abuse and victims' rights. In Hamilton County, deputies can request an advocate from Women Helping Women's DVERT program to come to the scene, and advocates respond within 25 minutes or less to help survivors make safety plans.
Timeline
April 2026: Ohio publishes the updated handbook for law enforcement.
July 2025 through June 2026: Period covered by the fatality report.
November 18, 2026: First of seven regional handbook training sessions.
Legal Context
The Ohio Collaborative Community-Police Advisory Board is developing a statewide standard for responding to and investigating domestic violence incidents. The new handbook is an interim tool while that standard is still in progress.
Residents in Hamilton County can ask deputies to request a DVERT advocate at intimate-partner-violence calls, and advocates connect survivors with legal help, counseling and housing. The updated handbook may change how officers handle these calls statewide once training is complete.
The takeaway
Survivors who call for help may get faster support when a trained advocate is requested to the scene. Anyone facing domestic violence can ask responding officers about available advocate programs in their county.
What happens next
Regional handbook training sessions begin November 18, 2026, with seven sessions planned across the state.
Further reading
Explore more on Sex Crimes coverage and how states train officers to respond to these cases.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WKRC.
