Legal Advocacy
OUR SERVICES INCLUDE:
- Help with filling out and filing protection and anti-harassment orders.
- Accompaniment to court proceedings.
- Assistance filling out dissolution forms.
- Referrals to legal services.
- Safety Planning/Education Classes required by the court for victims wishing to drop protective orders.
IF YOU ARE IN NEED OF A PROTECTIVE ORDER, CALL US AT:
425-1176 Hazel, our Legal Advocate, does a great job helping clients understand and obtain protection or anti-harassment orders. Knowing How Orders Work can help clients have less fear, and more confidence about leaving an abuser. REMEMBER the following:
Keep a certified copy of your order with you at ALL TIMES!
- It is enforceable throughout Washington State.
- If someone violates any of these protective orders, call 911 and let them know your order is being violated.
- If you are being threatened, harassed or assaulted, CALL 9-1-1
There are four types of protective orders. Each one is a bit different:
- Protection Order This is a civil order for victims of domestic violence who are afraid of being hurt again. In this type, the court orders the abuser not to threaten or harm the victim again. This order usually prohibits the abuser from coming near or around the victims home, work etc. Victims may request this order at any local court. There is NO COST for a protection order!!
- Anti-Harassment Order This is a civil order that is filed by someone who has been annoyed or harassed by another person, such as a neighbor, coworker or stranger. This order prohibits the other person from making contact or coming to a person′s house, school or workplace.
- Restraining Order This is a civil order that is usually issued along with divorces, legal separations, paternity, or child custody cases. It covers property, child support, and maintenance or custody issues. A Restraining Order prohibits someone from contacting another person, or committing violent acts against him or her. This order is usually filed by the lawyer representing someone in Superior Court.
- No Contact Order This is a court appointed order. Victims of domestic violence may be asked by the prosecutor if they want a no contact order if there is a criminal case against their abuser. A no contact order prohibits the abuser from contacting their victim through phone, letter, or by sending messages through friends or family. This order is intended to protect someone while a criminal case is going on, which means there must be criminal charges pending or filed.
It is never the victims fault if an abuser violates a protective order.
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SAFETY PLANNING
- It is important to understand about safety planning:
- Safety plans are vital for survival when leaving abusers.
- Shelter staff are glad to help you prepare a safety plan.
- Safety planning classes are held twice a month for victims who would like a court to drop a protective order.
- Click here to learn more about Safety Planning! Call 425-1176 to sign up!
