Recently updated on April 9th, 2024 at 12:15 am

Prepare Your Documents for Sexual Assault Protection Order

This website is provided to help victims and those assisting them prepare the Sexual Assault Protection Order forms for the King County Superior Court.

An overview of Civil Protection Orders at King County is here.

Start

HOW IT WORKS

1. Take Screening

Start with an online screening tool to help you decide which civil protection order fits your situation the best.

2. Prepare Documents

Instead of looking at the forms themselves, our system will help you complete your filing documents by having you answer all of the necessary information by topic. We will ask you questions in plain and non-legal language. To make this process as simple as possible, our system will then generate your response anywhere it is needed on the forms.

3. Consult Advocate (Optional)

You can consult an advocate to get guidance on civil protection orders. An advocate can review your case documents, and talk to you directly to discuss your case and safety planning.

4. File with the Clerk

You can formally begin the case by filing with the Office of the Clerk. You can do that by either printing and visiting the clerk's office at the court or using the clerk's virtual office online . The court has two locations, Seattle and Kent, listed at the bottom of this page.

FAQs

What is Sexual Assault?

According to the Washington State law, RCW 7.105.010:

"Sexual abuse" means any form of nonconsensual sexual conduct including, but not limited to, unwanted or inappropriate touching, rape, molestation, indecent liberties, sexual coercion, sexually explicit photographing or recording, voyeurism, indecent exposure, and sexual harassment.

"Sexual abuse" also includes any sexual conduct between a staff person, who is not also a resident or client, of a facility or a staff person of a program authorized under chapter 71A.12 RCW, and a vulnerable adult living in that facility or receiving service from a program authorized under chapter 71A.12 RCW, whether or not the sexual conduct is consensual.

"Sexual conduct" means any of the following:

(a) Any intentional or knowing touching or fondling of the genitals, anus, or breasts, directly or indirectly, including through clothing;

(b) Any intentional or knowing display of the genitals, anus, or breasts for the purposes of arousal or sexual gratification of the respondent;

(c) Any intentional or knowing touching or fondling of the genitals, anus, or breasts, directly or indirectly, including through clothing, that the petitioner is forced to perform by another person or the respondent;

(d) Any forced display of the petitioner's genitals, anus, or breasts for the purposes of arousal or sexual gratification of the respondent or others;

(e) Any intentional or knowing touching of the clothed or unclothed body of a child under the age of 16, if done for the purpose of sexual gratification or arousal of the respondent or others; or

(f) Any coerced or forced touching or fondling by a child under the age of 16, directly or indirectly, including through clothing, of the genitals, anus, or breasts of the respondent or others.

"Sexual penetration" means any contact, however slight, between the sex organ or anus of one person by an object, the sex organ, mouth, or anus of another person, or any intrusion, however slight, of any part of the body of one person or of any animal or object into the sex organ or anus of another person including, but not limited to, cunnilingus, fellatio, or anal penetration. Evidence of emission of semen is not required to prove sexual penetration.

How does a SAPO help me?

What happens if my abuser breaks the terms of the DVPO?

How much does it cost to get a SAPO?

Do I need a lawyer to get a SAPO?

How long does it take to get a SAPO?

You can get a temporary protection order the same day as you file depending on the urgency of your situation.

File early in the day to improve your chances of same day order, otherwise the order would be issued the following day when courts open.

Courts are generally open Monday-Friday and closed on Saturday-Sunday.

Court holidays at the King County can be seen here.

The temporary order is valid until a formal hearing is held in which both parties need to be present. Typically a hearing is scheduled within 2 weeks of filing.

At the hearing a formal order may be issued.

How long is the SAPO in force for?

Court Forms Created This website guides you through all the topics required to complete your protection order documents and file your case.

Core Forms

King County Superior Court - Case Information Cover Sheet
PO 001 Petition for Protection Order
PO 003 Law Enforcement and Confidential Information Form
PO 030 Temporary Protection Order and Hearing Notice
Case Assignment Area and Designation and Case Information Cover Sheet
PO 040 Proof of Service

With Firearms

XR 102 Firearm Identification Worksheet
WPF All Cases 02 030 Order to Surrender and Prohibit Weapons Without Notice

Civil Protection Orders