Retaliation
Our mission: Protect Those Who Cannot Protect Themselves. Protect Those Who Speak Up.

The problem
No one should have to choose between reporting suspected abuse and protecting themselves from retaliation.

Across Ohio, people may witness or suspect abuse, neglect, exploitation, cruelty, or unsafe conditions involving children, older adults, people with disabilities, or animals. Reporting these concerns can be an important step toward protecting someone who may be unable to speak up for themselves.

But people may fear threats, harassment, intimidation, stalking, or other forms of retaliation for making a report in good faith. That fear can discourage people from coming forward when someone may need help.

What we are asking Ohio to do-
We are calling on the Ohio General Assembly to introduce, consider, and pass legislation establishing clear and enforceable protections for people who make good-faith reports of suspected abuse, neglect, exploitation, cruelty, or unsafe conditions.

The proposed law should:

Protect good-faith reporters, regardless of their profession or whether they are legally mandated to report.
Address retaliation by private individuals, as well as retaliation in employment or government settings where applicable.
Define prohibited retaliation, including threats, intimidation, harassment, stalking, coercion, and other conduct intended to punish or silence a reporter.
Establish a clear complaint process so people who experience retaliation know where to seek help.
Provide meaningful remedies when retaliation is established, with appropriate safeguards and due process.
Protect honest reporting, even when an investigation does not substantiate the original concern, while preserving accountability for knowingly fabricated reports.
Why this matters
Children, older adults, people with disabilities, and animals deserve protection. People who raise genuine concerns should not be intimidated into silence simply because they tried to help.

This proposal is not about excusing false accusations or bypassing due process. It is about creating fair, clear protections for people who report concerns honestly and in good faith.

Our request-
Please support the development and passage of an Ohio law protecting good-faith reporters from retaliation. Ask your state representative and senator to consider sponsoring this legislation and help bring this issue before the Ohio General Assembly.

Protect Those Who Cannot Protect Themselves. Protect Those Who Speak Up.

Please sign and share this petition to help bring attention to the need for stronger protections across Ohio.