Domestic Violence / Stalking Unit
Mary Lynn Caswell,
Domestic Violence Director
375 South High St
17th Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43215
614-645-6232 (ph)
614-645-6548 (fx)
This Unit facilitates prosecution and provides education, support, counseling, crisis intervention and overall assistance to victims
of domestic violence and stalking.
Safety Alert : Computer use can be monitored and it is very difficult to completely clear all website footprints.
If you are in danger, please use a safe computer that your abuser cannot access directly or remotely
Although all prosecutors in the City Attorney’s
Office handle domestic violence cases, the Domestic Violence Unit has four specially
trained prosecutors that are assigned to handle only domestic violence cases.
These specialized prosecutors handle cases that include, but are not limited to,
repeat assaults, egregious acts of violence, and victims that are high risk (including
the elderly, children, and the disabled). For more information on what to expect, please click here.
Additionally, the Unit has several courtroom advocates who work in tandem
with various community liaisons to provide a variety of services to domestic violence
victims. In cooperation with community organizations like CHOICES for Victims
of Domestic Violence, Southeast Mental Health Service, Legal Aid, and Franklin County
Children’s Services, the City Attorney’s Office provides a centralized resource
and support system within the Unit.
The City Attorney's Office supports a Stalking Unit within the Domestic
Violence Unit, created in 1988, to investigate menacing by stalking complaints,
assist in evidence collection, and support stalking victims. Additionally,
the Stalking Unit can assist victims in obtaining anti-stalking Civil Protection Orders.
Stalking occurs when a person engages in a pattern of conduct that knowingly
causes the victim to believe the offender will cause physical harm or mental distress
to them. Menacing by stalking is a crime under Ohio Revised Code Section 2903.211
and can disrupt a victim’s lifestyle and cause serious mental distress. This
crime is a first degree misdemeanor and carries a maximum penalty of six months
in jail and/or $1,000 fine. A fifth degree felony may be filed if there is
a previous stalking conviction.
Contact a representative in this Unit
Domestic Violence:
Domestic Violence Advocates:
| Julienne Long,
Advocacy Coordinator | 614-645-0319 | [email protected] |
| Kristen Zimmerman,
Advocacy Coordinator | 614-645-0313 | [email protected] |
| Marissa Barragan,
Victim Advocate | 614-645-0404 | [email protected] |
| Tina Boesch,
Victim Advocate | 614-645-6708 | [email protected] |
| Kirsten Bonnette,
Victim Advocate | 614-645-1598 | [email protected] |
| Rachel Careccia,
Victim Advocate | 614-645-1597 | [email protected] |
| Raquel Delgado,
Victim Advocate | 614-645-0310 | [email protected] |
| Brenda Gray,
Victim Advocate | 614-645-0403 | [email protected] |
| Bryawna Griffith,
Victim Advocate | 614-645-7224 | [email protected] |
| Olivia Kuhn,
Victim Advocate | 614-645-7386 | [email protected] |
| Krista Needles,
Victim Advocate | 614-645-8926 | [email protected] |
| Julia Pavlic,
Victim Advocate | 614-645-2540 | [email protected] |
| Camryn Parsons,
Victim Advocate | 614-645-8926 | [email protected] |
| Maria Ramirez,
Victim Advocate | 614-645-7207 | [email protected] |
| Tori Serena,
Victim Advocate | 614-645-0397 | [email protected] |
| Kimberly Shaw,
Victim Advocate | 614-645-0399 | [email protected] |
| Kyndal Smith,
Victim Advocate | 614-645-2542 | [email protected] |
Stalking Advocates:
If this is an emergency, contact your local police department or call 9-1-1.
You can also reach the CHOICES crisis hotline 24 hours a day at 224-4663
We also offer an online version of a booklet which explains more about what we do.
Online DV Booklet.pdf
About Protection Orders
"We're here to help" - Domestic Violence and Stalking Unit PSA 2022