The purpose of this section is to provide insights and more information on protection orders for court, legal, and media professionals, and for the general public. If you need specific information or resources, please refer to our Get Help, Protection Orders, or Resources pages.
As a court clerk or legal professional in Washington State seeking to learn more about protection orders, you have access to several resources that can provide valuable information and training. Utilizing these resources will help you develop a deeper understanding of protection orders and improve your ability to assist those who seek them through the court system.
The Washington State Courts official website is a primary resource for information on protection orders. In order to best help victims and survivors as they navigate the process, it can be helpful to:
The Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) may offer educational programs and training sessions for court clerks on various topics, including protection orders. Check with the AOC for available training opportunities.
Participate in continuing education programs offered by professional associations, such as the Washington State Association of County Clerks. These programs often cover relevant legal topics and procedural updates.
Look for workshops or seminars on protection orders offered by legal organizations or advocacy groups. These can be excellent opportunities to learn and ask questions.
Your local court may offer in-house training sessions or have resources available for staff development. Speak with your supervisor or training coordinator to see if there are any scheduled sessions or materials you can access.
Engage with colleagues from other counties who have experience handling protection orders. They can provide insights, share best practices, and offer advice based on their own experiences.
Organizations such as the Northwest Justice Project or local domestic violence advocacy groups may offer workshops or informational sessions on protection orders. These can provide a broader perspective on the impact and administration of these orders.
Police departments often have victim advocates who can explain the process and implications of protection orders from a law enforcement perspective.
Consult with judges or attorneys in your court who handle protection order cases. They can offer practical insights and clarify any legal or procedural questions you might have.
For more information about protection orders, visit our protection orders page.
Protection orders are civil (that is, not criminal) orders designed to enhance the safety and well-being of individuals facing threats, harassment, abuse, stalking or other types of harmful behavior. They serve as a crucial line of defense, offering victims the legal means to prevent further harm and maintain peace of mind.
In Washington state, protection orders are public record, however, sensitive details, like the names of minors, might be redacted to protect the privacy of the individuals involved. As members of the public or media, there are several things to keep in mind when reporting on protection orders.
For ethical reporting it’s important to:
Consider whether the publication of certain details might put individuals at further risk or cause undue harm, particularly if the threats are ongoing or the case is still under investigation.
You can balance transparency with safety by:
Journalists can play an important role in spreading the word about protection orders and helping more victims and survivors achieve safety. To achieve this, use respectful language, avoid victim-blaming, and provide context to help the audience understand the seriousness of the situations that lead to protection orders and their promise to prevent harm.
Protection orders may involve sensitive personal information, including addresses, phone numbers, or threats that could put the involved parties at risk if disclosed. Respecting privacy and ensuring confidential details are not published is crucial.
Be precise in your reporting. Make sure you verify details about the protection order by reviewing details through court records, legal documents, or official statements released by involved parties.
Some protection orders may come with restrictions on what can be reported. These restrictions might be related to the names of individuals involved, the nature of the threat, or the specifics of the case. Always check for any publication bans or legal restrictions.
Check with your local courts or law enforcement agencies to see if they offer training. Additionally, you can request training about ERPOs from The National ERPO Resource Center Training & Technical Assistance Request Form.
Be cautious not to make defamatory statements about the individuals subject to the protection order, particularly if the matter is still under investigation or if there are ongoing legal proceedings.
If you still have questions about what can be reported, consult with a legal advisor or check the court’s guidelines regarding what can be disclosed.
For the most current statistics and detailed information, check with Washington State local county courts, law enforcement agencies, and/or organizations specializing in domestic violence and legal aid within Washington State will have up to date statistics and other sources of public information.
The following resources shed light on the prevalence of protection orders nationally and in Washington state.
Domestic Violence Statistics – The Hotline
The National Domestic Violence Hotline has a range of statistics about domestic violence. While these stats are not exclusively specific to protection orders, many protection order cases are a result of domestic violence.
Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs) | Center for Gun Violence Solutions
The Center has participated in advocacy efforts to pass ERPO laws and fund their implementation and evaluation in 21 states and the District of Columbia since 2014. Today, more than half of all Americans live in a state that has an ERPO, and this is the direct result of the work of the Center, the Consortium, and gun violence prevention advocates across the country. Learn more about their work.
University of Washington Firearm Injury & Policy Research Program
The University of Washington’s Firearm Injury & Policy Program conducts interdisciplinary research alongside community partners to prevent firearm-related harm.
Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs) – Harborview Injury Prevention & Research Center
This site provides a range of information about ERPOs including: what they are and how to use one, why to use a protection order, infographics and reports, and media and literature.
The National ERPO Resource Center
The Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), established the National ERPO Resource Center (ERC) in 2023. The ERC is a training and technical assistance (TTA) hub designed to support states and localities with the implementation of their ERPO programs to reduce gun violence and save lives.
Protection Orders and Intimate Partner Violence: An 18-Month Study of 150 Black, Hispanic, and White Women
This study compares the types and frequencies of intimate partner violence experienced by women before and after receipt of a 2-year protection order.
Deaths Related to Domestic Violence in Washington State – JAMA Network Open
This cross-sectional study evaluates the proportion of homicides and suicides connected to domestic violence in Washington and contacts with the legal system or social services before these deaths.
Extreme Risk Protection Orders in Washington State: Understanding the Role of Health Professionals | Journal of the Society for Social Work and Research
This study qualitatively analyzed court documents of ERPOs involving health professionals in Washington State between December 8, 2016, and May 10, 2019 and describes the roles health professionals can play in ERPOs even when they cannot file an ERPO for their patients.
United States Department of Justice Improving Law Enforcement Response to Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence by Identifying and Preventing Gender Bias
Recognizing and mitigating bias in response to sexual assault and domestic violence is critical to law enforcement agencies’ ability to protect and serve their communities. The Department of Justice issued updated guidance in May 2022 to help LEAs prevent gender bias and other biases from compromising the response to, and investigation of, these crimes.
This document is a brief version of the full guidance, highlighting the key points of each principle
Extreme Risk Protection Order Model Policy Guide | Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
This Model Policy Guide is designed to inform advocates and policymakers about important elements to include in evidence-informed public health policy. The guidance in this report is structured to be applied in any state across the country, regardless of jurisdictional differences.
When Minors Threaten Violence: Firearm Access And Extreme Risk Protection Order Laws
This Forefront piece, describes how and why ERPOs are a useful tool when minors are behaving in ways that make them a credible risk for initiating violence, shares recommendations for policy makers to shape how ERPO laws may apply to minors, and explains practices operationalized in some jurisdictions that are using ERPOs with minor respondents.
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