Enduring Domestic Violence in Your Home? You Have Options.

This article has been updated as of August 27, 2026. The original content was published in October of 2024.

In light of the recently public acts of domestic violence and/or violence against women, I thought it would be best to update this article and remind women that there are legal avenues available to combat DV. I’m sure by now, all of you are at least vaguely familiar with the Lindsey Clancy trial, the Callaway Golf Ad and Max Miller the abhorrent congressman for the 7th district of Ohio — and if not, here’s a recap.

Current DV in the Headlines

Lindsey Clancy is on trial for murdering her three children, which in and of itself is horrible and very sad for those kids. However, over the course of the trial it has been highlighted that Patrick Clancy the now ex-husband of Lindsey engaged in behavior that could only be described as coercive control and manipulation. If you are in the conspiracy camp that Patrick did it and framed Lindsey, then you are likely even more convinced that he was a DV monster. The Jury is deliberating on the outcome for Lindsey — but the world heard loud and clear about how Patrick treated her through their marriage. TO BE CLEAR — I am not justifying what happened to those children, I am merely stating that we never truly know what is going on behind closed doors and if we did, maybe she could have gotten help sooner.

Callaway & Good Good Golf — Callaway in partnership with Good Good Golf, launched an AD that depicted a woman being body checked to the ground over a driver. The AD in every sense screamed misogyny and received almost immediate backlash. The AD was pulled and each company issued a statement, but the damage was done. What is horrifying about the AD is that in 2026, no one in that marketing room stood up and said “hey this is a bad look”. Or if they did, they were ignored. Either way, the message was loud and clear : Violence against women is OKAY if it makes us money; but it’s not OKAY if we get boycotted.

Max Miller & his defense of DV — Max Miller is a special breed of grotesque. And I say that with my whole heart. He went on Fox news for a 20 minute rant about how he couldn’t be a DV perpetrator because his wife made him dinner after the alleged assault. He also argued that his wife has mental health issues (because she had PPD) and that was the reason she was making up the allegations of DV and child abuse.

Don’t forget, he was accused of hurting their young child and even causing a collarbone fracture. Max Miller also has a history of DV — having been accused by his former intimate partner Stephanie Grisham, of domestic violence at the hands of Miller. What’s jarring about Miller, is that he felt it appropriate to go on a live, on-air rant about his wife so that he could justify pouring hot water in her face and using corporal punishment on their two-year old child.

Domestic violence and assault is a critical issue that affects countless individuals across the globe. For women and survivors, understanding domestic violence and the protection measures available is essential for safeguarding themselves and others. Protection orders are vital tools in this regard, providing a legal means to help secure safety and peace of mind for victims. In this blog post, we will explore the nuances of domestic violence, various protection order options, and the support resources available to survivors.

What is Domestic Violence?

Domestic violence manifests in various forms, each equally damaging and destructive. It’s crucial to recognize these to effectively combat and prevent abuse.

• Physical Abuse: This includes any form of physical force or assault against a person, such as hitting, shoving, or strangling. Physical injuries may be visible or hidden, but the psychological scars left by such abuse can be profound and long-lasting.
• Emotional Abuse: This type of abuse involves the control and manipulation of emotions, often through threats, intimidation, or constant criticism. Emotional abuse aims to erode self-worth and can be as damaging as physical abuse.
• Financial Abuse: This often overlooked aspect involves controlling a victim’s financial resources, limiting their access to money, or forbidding them from working, thus making them financially dependent on the abuser.
• Coercive Control: Abuse that is often hard to understand unless you’ve witnessed it. This is DV that occurs when a partner uses threats to control someones behavior, but the threats aren’t violent. For example, threatening to take the children and leave if wife doesn’t do what husband asks; Threats to call CPS or use depression against them as a basis to take their kids away.
• In Washington State, domestic violence encompasses many acts that go beyond the three outlined above. Threats of violence, destruction of property, changing the locks and leaving a person financially and physically cut off, are all common signs of domestic violence that the court acknowledges. Washington State just in the last several years began recognizing coercive control as domestic violence. Many judges still don’t fully understand or appreciate the significance. It’s imperative that women understand the nuances of DV so that petitions can be properly plead.

Recognizing these forms of abuse is the first step towards seeking help and protection. Be mindful that harassment can occur in the workforce as well.

Which Protection Order is Right for Me?

Protection orders are legal orders issued by a court to prevent further abuse or harassment by the abuser. Below is a brief outline of each type of Protection Order and what they are used for.

Types of Protection Orders:

• Domestic Violence Protection Order (DVPO): These start as short-term orders issued quickly to provide immediate protection until a full hearing can be held. They protect parties from imminent threats and/or further harm from a current or former partner, household member or family member. Once the full hearing is held, the court can enter a protection order for at least 1 year and if there is a basis, often for several years. This petition protects parties from intimate partner violence as well as family violence. If a parent is beating a child, the proper petition to file would be the DVPO even through there was not romantic relationship.
• Sexual Assault Protection Order (SAPO): These orders offer protection for a variety of instances of assault stemming from a sexual nature. These petitions are generally entered when there has been a sexual assault. I.e. from groping all the way up to rape. Again, they can either he heard on an emergency basis or with notice to the other party.
• Anti-harassment Protection Order and Anti-Stalking Protection Orders: If granted restrain a person from stalking or harassing a person for a period of time. These are common in cyber stalking, cyber harassment, excessive calls and texting and the more generalized stalking (watching the house, following the protected person around.

What Your Petition Needs to Win

Once you’ve identified the type of domestic violence that you are experiencing, it’s important to 1) fill the forms out correctly; and 2) be specific in the declarations. Oftentimes, this is where pro se litigants (people without attorneys) make mistakes that cost them their relief.

First, the forms are available online or at the courthouse. Many courthouses charge a fee for the packet, whereas you can download the documents HERE for free. Next, check the RCW statute to make sure the domestic violence or behavior you are experiencing fits the correct category you are alleging. For example, if the harm is more harassment, then you need to file an Anti-harassment petition, not a Domestic Violence petition. If the behavior is sexual, then the proper form is usually the SAPO, not the DVPO. The Statute can be found HERE.

Next, the petitioner should be as specific as possible. There needs to be detail and proof attached. Proof can be photos, medical records, text messages, declarations from witnesses etc. The more documentation you have, the better the chance you will prevail on the protection order. When drafting teh declarations, use detail. Date, injury, photos etc all help the court make a determination if a protection order is necessary.

For example, “On January 2, 2026, my ______ hit me in the face with the fireplace poker causing a laceration above my eye and a broken orbital socket. See attached Photos and Medical Records”. Or “In Early June of last year the abuse started. Initially it was pushing and yelling, but it has escalated overtime. Last week, _____ punched me in the stomach leaving a bruise. He also slapped me in the face. I have attached photos of the bruising and redness to my face after the slap.”

The point i’m making is that the DV does not need to be extreme like in the first example. It can be more subtle like pushing, slapping or hitting. The petitioner just needs to be specific and document everything as best as possible.

Support Resources

Numerous resources are available to assist survivors of domestic violence, providing crucial support and guidance:

• Hotlines:
• National Domestic Violence Hotline (USA): 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
• Support Groups:
• Local community centers and online forums offer group therapy and support networks for survivors.
• Community Resources:
• Shelters and safe houses offer temporary housing for those escaping abusive environments.

Awareness and education are powerful tools in the fight against domestic violence. For survivors, accessing resources like protection orders can be life-changing, offering security and hope. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, it is crucial to seek help and support. Together, we can raise awareness and work towards a future where domestic violence is a thing of the past.

Learn more about protection orders and your rights to ensure your safety and well-being. Contact The Legal Hill, PLLC today to discuss your options.

If you are experiencing a more subtle form of DV, like coercive control and just need some guidance on how to explain those instances, send me a DM on instagram @itslegallysavage and I can provide some tailored examples on how to explain the coercive control in your declaration.

** This post is informational only and does not create an attorney/client privilege. This is not tailored legal advice, and is instead legal information. Please contact an attorney or DV advocate for direct legal assistance.