Domestic Violence

Know Your Rights

Other Personal Problems

If you are being hurt, threatened or stalked, try to talk with a domestic violence program. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE. 

For court forms, choose the Court Forms & Procedures tab below.

Domestic violence: Can the criminal legal system help me?

If you are being hurt, threatened, or stalked, try to talk with a domestic violence program. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE. Read this to learn what you should think about if you're thinking about filing a DVPO. #3705EN

Landlord-Tenant Issues for Survivors of Domestic Violence

Learn about how the law can protect you if you are a tenant AND a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, unlawful harassment or stalking. #6304EN

Leave from Work for Survivors of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, or Stalking

Washington State law allows employees to take time off from work to address domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. Read this to learn more about your rights. #2502EN

Abusive Litigation: When Your Abuser Exploits the Legal System

Even if you have left your abuser, they can still cause psychological, emotional, and financial harm by taking you – and even your friends and relatives – to court again and again. Read this to learn more and find out what you can do. #3714EN

How to hide your address from a stalker or abuser

Survivors of abuse, sexual assault, trafficking, or stalking can enroll in a state-run program to keep their address from the person who has been abusing, stalking or harassing them. #3706EN

Webinar: Protective Parenting Plans

A webinar to discuss creating a protective parenting plan when there are concerns of domestic violence or parenting deficits that are detrimental to the children. This webinar will discuss parenting plans and provide a general overview for self-represented people of some important court rules to help you understand how to get a temporary motion for a parenting plan before the court.

ACP participants can use a Revocable Living Trust to buy real property confidentially

When you buy a house or other real estate, you have to sign a lot of documents that show your name and the address or location of your property. These documents show up in public records that anyone can see. If you are in the Address Confidentiality Program (ACP), you can keep your name and location confidential by creating a revocable living trust that you can control. Then you can buy property in the name of the Trust, without using your own name. Packets #3708EN and 3709EN.

Frequently Asked Questions about Abuse in Later Life

Abuse in later life occurs when an older person is subjected to a pattern of coercive behaviors used to gain & maintain power and control perpetrated by a family member or someone with whom the elder has an ongoing relationship. It is the intersection between elder abuse and domestic violence.

Protections for Native American survivors of domestic violence

Learn about how this federal law addresses violence against Native American and Alaskan Native survivors of any gender living in the United States. #3702EN

File a Motion for Revision in a Family Law Case

Use this to ask a judge to change (revise) a court commissioner's order. #3901EN

Should I ask for a military protection order?

Learn the important ways in which these types of protection orders differ from each other, and which might make more sense for your situation. #3710EN

VAWA Self-Petition: Immigration Relief for Victims of Domestic Violence

If a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident family member uses their immigration status to control or abuse you, you may be able to file an I-360 VAWA Petition. This petition lets you try to get status without the help of the abusive family member. #8125EN

Victims of Crimes and “U Visas”

A U visa or U nonimmigrant status is sometimes given to people who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents and are victims of certain crimes in the U.S. If you or someone in your family (spouse, child, sibling, or parent) is the victim of a crime, you might be able to change your immigration status. You may be able to apply for a U visa. #8124EN

Renew your Protection Order

If your protection order is going to end soon and you want to extend it for another year or longer, get this packet to learn more and for the forms and instructions you need. #3704EN

Will I find out when the person who harmed me will be released from prison?

You will learn about a program that will let you know (notify you) if the person who hurt you will be released from prison. Finding this out in advance will help you have plans in place. #3712EN

Immigration, Family Law, and Domestic Violence

If you have a protection order case or family law matter, you may have immigration questions or concerns. People who are abusive often use immigration status to control their partners. Read this for basic answers to some common questions. #8105EN

How to get a name change in Washington State

In Washington State, if you are eighteen or older, you can choose and use any name you wish, as long as you are not trying to defraud (cheat) someone. This describes the process. #3400EN

Myths & Realities of Identity Change

If you are a survivor of domestic violence, harassment, stalking, or sexual assault, read this to learn about whether changing your name and social security number will provide you any additional safety. #3716EN

Landlord-Tenant Issues for Survivors of Domestic Violence

Learn about how the law can protect you if you are a tenant AND a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, unlawful harassment or stalking. #6304EN

Video - Help for Domestic Violence Victims Living in Federally Subsidized or Public Housing

Watch this video to learn your rights under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) if you live in federally subsidized housing or have a Section 8 voucher. This video covers federal laws, so the information is true no matter what state you live in.

VAWA Self-Petition: Immigration Relief for Victims of Domestic Violence

If a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident family member uses their immigration status to control or abuse you, you may be able to file an I-360 VAWA Petition. This petition lets you try to get status without the help of the abusive family member. #8125EN

Victims of Crimes and “U Visas”

A U visa or U nonimmigrant status is sometimes given to people who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents and are victims of certain crimes in the U.S. If you or someone in your family (spouse, child, sibling, or parent) is the victim of a crime, you might be able to change your immigration status. You may be able to apply for a U visa. #8124EN

Immigration, Family Law, and Domestic Violence

If you have a protection order case or family law matter, you may have immigration questions or concerns. People who are abusive often use immigration status to control their partners. Read this for basic answers to some common questions. #8105EN

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