- Domestic violence victims suffer from the long-term effects of physical and emotional abuse. Domestic violence laws in Washington provide victims with protection from their abusers, as well as attempt to break the cycle of violence by helping both victims and the abusers who were convicted of domestic violence offenses.
- Washington defines domestic violence as criminal acts against one person in a relationship committed by another, including destruction of property, stalking, harassment, and physical, emotional or sexual abuse. Parties can be spouses, former spouses, people who live together and people who share a child. Washington's law also includes a provision for any acts of violence committed by a boyfriend or girlfriend, age 16 or older, against the other. It is also against the law for anyone convicted of a domestic violence offense to possess a firearm or carry any concealed weapons in Washington.
- Washington requires mandatory arrest if a police officer responds to a domestic violence situation. Situations include incidents of assault or violations of protective orders. If both parties assaulted each other, state law only requires an officer to arrest the primary aggressor.
In Washington, a person convicted of a domestic violence misdemeanor may be required to pay a $1,000 fine and serve up to 90 days in jail. Gross misdemeanors have penalties of a $5,000 fine and up to one year in jail. A felony is punishable by more than one year in prison and varies depend on the type of offense and the defendant's prior criminal history. - A victim of domestic violence can request a civil protection order to prevent the abuser from harassing, threatening, harming or contacting the victim in any way. A protection order issued in Washington can be enforced in all states. Protection orders can include provisions ordering an abuser to move out of the shared residence, to attend treatment or counseling sessions, and may grant the victim temporary custody of any children and either set a visitation schedule for the abuser to see the children or deny visitation altogether.
No Contact Orders (NCO) are issued when a domestic violence case is pending. NCOs may also remain in effect after an abuser is convicted. An order of this type must be issued by a judge and can last for up to two years. - Washington provides a support system for domestic violence victims through the Domestic Violence Victim Advocates. Advocates guide victims through the court proceedings and provide support as victims deal with the effects of domestic violence.
The state also requires defendants to complete a domestic violence treatment program in an effort to break the cycle of violence. A judge may also require other treatment programs, including alcohol and drug counseling or parenting class, as necessary.
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