Process Overview
This website presents a list of questions, and then at the end generates the paperwork for DVPO.
HOW THIS WEBSITE WORKS
This website provides a guided experience to people who are working themselves on preparing the court forms for a Domestic Violence Restraining Order.
1. Take Screening
Select the specific protection order you want to file for. Then answer a few questions to determine your eligibility.
2. Prepare Documents
Prepare the main set of your court documents by covering one topic at a time. Each topic offers questions in simple and non-legal language. Just do your best and in case you need help you can get reach out for help just with a few clicks.
3. Consult Advocate (Optional)
Depending on your situation, we can suggest any trusted free victim advocacy non profits. The advocate can assist you with certain aspects of the case and safety planning. They can review your case documents, and talk to you directly to discuss your case.
4. Submit to Court
Submit the paperwork to begin the legal process. You can do online depending on your local court or by printing and visiting the court in person.
FAQs
Resources
Official website of the Washington Courts which provides court forms and instructions.
WCSAP unites agencies engaged in eliminating sexual violence and provides information and training to members
WSCADV is a resource for programs that assist domestic violence survivors and their families
The VINE system is a free service that allows petitioners to register for notification when a protective order of any type that has been served or is about to expire.
Do Protection Orders Help?
Here the outcome of a research on domestic violence from University of New Hampshire
1. Reduce Violence
Civil protective orders (such as a Domestic Violence Protection Order, an Anti-harassment Protection Order, a Sexual Assault Protection Order) are effective in reducing violence and harassment. For example, for half the women in the sample studied, a protective order stopped the violence. For the other half, the orders significantly reduced violence and abuse.
2. Cost Effective
They are a relatively low-cost solution, particularly when compared with the social and personal costs of partner violence.
3. Cities vs. Countryside
The impact of civil protective orders on reducing violence and abuse did not differ for rural (country side) and urban (cities) women. In rural areas, where resources and services for partner violence may be more limited, it is critical to reduce barriers to obtaining protective orders as research indicates they may be an effective resource. Community-level barriers to enforce civil protective orders exist for women in rural areas.
Court Forms Created
When you pass the screening and complete the questionnaires, you can then download the following standard court forms filled correctly with your information. These court forms are provided by the Washington Courts.
