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Domestic & Relationship Violence

  • Domestic/Relationship Violence
  • King County Coalition Against Domestic Violence
  • Protective Court Orders
  • Address Confidentiality Program

    • Domestic/Relationship Violence

    Domestic violence and relationship violence are different terms used to describe the same experience. Both refer to a pattern of behavior in which one person attempts to control another through threats or actual use of physical, sexual, verbal and/or psychological abuse.

    Controlling, abusive behavior can occur between people of all races, ages, sexual orientations, religions and/or gender. It can occur between people of all socioeconomic backgrounds and education levels. It happens between people who are married, dating, divorced, living together, or broken up.

    No one should be abused. You deserve to be in a relationship where you (and your children) feel safe. If you are in an abusive relationship, or think you might be, there are people at the University of Washington and in the community who can help.

    On Campus…

    The UWPD Crime Victim Advocate is available to assist University of Washington faculty and staff (206-543-9337) experiencing domestic violence or relationship abuse. The Advocate can help with:

    Faculty and staff are also encouraged to review the UW Policy & Procedure on Violence in the Workplace.

    Students who have concerns about relationship violence should contact the Sexual Assault and Relationship Violence Information Service (SARIS) at (206) 685-4357. SARIS is a confidential and safe starting point for students affected by sexual assault, relationship violence and stalking.

    Safe Campus - Report threats and seek advice:

    • Seattle: 206-685-SAFE (206-685-7233)
    • Bothell: 425-352-SAFE (425-352-7233)
    • Tacoma: 253-692-SAFE (253-692-7233)

     Q Center - (206) 897-1430

    UW Women's Center - (206) 685-1090

    CareLink—Faculty and Staff Assistance Program- (866) 598-3978

    Off Campus…

     Asian Counseling and Referral Service - (206) 695-7564

    Abused Deaf Women's Advocacy Service - (800) 833-6384 (TDD/TTY)

    Center for Battered Women - CBW is a domestic violence agency that serves Snohomish County - 24 hour hotline (425) 252-2873

    Consejo Counseling and Referral Service - (206) 461-4880

    Domestic Abuse Women’s Network - DAWN is a domestic violence agency that serves south King County - (425) 656-7867

    Eastside Domestic Violence Program - EDVP is a domestic violence agency serving communities east of Lake Washington - 24 Hour Hotline (425) 746-1940

    Harborview Center for Sexual Assault and Traumatic Stress - (206) 521-1800; (206) 521-1808 (TDD/TTY): (206) 731-3074 Nights/Weekends

    Jewish Family Services—Project Dvora - (206) 461-3240

    Korean Women’s Association - (888) 508-2780

    New Beginnings - New Beginnings is a domestic violence agency that serves the Seattle and Shoreline communities. 24 Hour Hotline (206) 522-9472

    The NW Network of Bi, Trans, Lesbian and Gay Survivors of Abuse - (206) 568-7777

    Seattle Indian Health Board - (206) 324-9360, ext 2806

    King County Coalition Against Domestic Violence

    The UWPD is proud to be a member of the King County Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

    The mission of the King County Coalition Against Domestic Violence (KCCADV) is to work to end domestic violence by facilitating collective action for social change. In county-wide public policy and education efforts, the Coalition provides leadership on behalf of community based victim service agencies and their allies. The Coalition strives to represent the diverse interests of victims and survivors of domestic violence.

    Protective Court Orders

    Sometimes people who don’t feel safe because of another person’s behavior choose to petition the court for a protective order. A protective order can restrain a person from:

    • coming near you, your home, place of work or other places you frequent such as a place of worship or gym.
    • contacting you via phone, text message, in person or over email.
    • having a third party contact you on his/her behalf.

    Following is information on three court orders that are available in Washington State.

    Domestic Violence Protection Order

    Anyone who has experienced the legal definition of domestic violence can petition for a Domestic Violence Protection Order in Municipal, District or Superior Court. The law defines “domestic violence” as:

    • Physical harm, bodily injury, assault, or the infliction of fear of imminent physical harm, bodily injury or assault; sexual assault; and/or stalking by a family or household member.
    • A “family or household member” is defined as:
      • Husband, wife or partner (present or past)
      • Father or mother of your children
      • Adults related by blood or marriage
      • Adults who live together now, or used to live together
      • People 16 years and older who are, or were, dating
      • Parents and children, including in-laws and stepfamilies.

    There is no cost for a Domestic Violence Protection Order.

    For more information on Domestic Violence Protection Orders, visit the King County Protection Order Website or contact the UWPD Crime Victim Advocate at 206-543-9337.

     Anti-Harassment Order

    Anyone who has experienced the legal definition of harassment can petition for an anti-harassment order in District or Superior court. The law defines “harassment” as two or more acts that:

    • Seriously alarm, annoy, or harass the victim without serving a legitimate purpose; AND
    • Would cause a reasonable person to suffer substantial emotional distress

    It costs $53.00 to file for the order but the fee can be waived for victims of stalking, sexual assault or domestic violence.

    For more information on anti-harassment orders visit the King County District Court website or contact the UWPD Crime Victim Advocate at 206-543-9337.

     Sexual Assault Protection Order

    Anyone who has experienced the legal definition of sexual assault can petition for a sexual assault protection order in Municipal, District or Superior Court. The law defines “sexual assault” as:

    • Nonconsensual (meaning lack of freely given agreement) sexual touching of the genitals, anus or breasts – either directly or through clothing.
    • Nonconsensual sexual penetration, however slight, of the genitals or anus by another body part of another including the mouth or the use of objects.
    • Forced display of the genitals, anus or breasts for the purpose of sexually arousing another.

    There is no cost for this order.

    For more information on Sexual Assault Protection Orders visit the Washington Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs or contact the UWPD Crime Victim Advocate at 206-543-9337.

    Address Confidentiality Program

    The Washington State Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) can help victims of stalking, sexual assault, trafficking and/or domestic violence by providing an alternate mailing address to use in place of a residential address. Participants in the program may legally use the ACP substitute address when working with state and local agencies. ACP staff will then forward mail to the actual residential address. State and local government agencies are required to accept the ACP substitute address. Private companies, though, do not have to accept the ACP address.

    The second part of the program offers confidentiality for two normally public records: voter registration and marriage records.

    For more information, go to the Washington State Address Confidentiality Program website or contact the UWPD Crime Victim Advocate at 206-543-9337.