Washington Coalition of Crime Victim Advocates

Strengthening crime victim rights and improving victim services

Right to Protection

Right to Protection

Secure Waiting Area (7.69.030)
  • Victims of any crime have the right to be provided a safe, secure waiting area (whenever practical), away from the defendant and the defendant's family.
Medical Care (7.69.030)
  • Victims of any crime have the right to access immediate medical care without undue detention by law enforcement.
Protection (7.69.030)
  • Victims of any crime have the right to protection from harm and threats arising from their cooperation with law enforcement and/or the prosecution of their case.
Protection Orders
Victims have the following orders of protection available to them:
  • Anti-Harassment Protection Order (10.14)
    Victims who can show a pattern of harassment designed to coerce, intimidate, or humiliate the victim can apply for an anti-harassment protection order.
  • Order of Protection - Domestic violence (26.50)
    Victims of domestic violence can apply for an order of protection, ordering offenders to have no contact with the victim.
  • Sexual assault protection order (7.90)
    A victim of a sex offense can apply for a sexual assault protection order, ordering offenders to have no contact with the victim.
  • Vulnerable Adult Protection Order (74.34.130)
    A vulnerable adult or guardian thereof may file for an order of protection to protect the vulnerable adult from abandonment, abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation.