Restraining Orders

The law defines “unlawful harassment” as:

1. a series of intentional acts by the abuser over a period of time that seriously alarms, annoys, harasses, or harms you without “serving a legitimate or lawful purpose,” and these acts must reasonably cause you to suffer substantial emotional distress; or
2. a single act of violence or a threat of violence directed at you that seriously alarms, annoys, harasses, or harms you without serving a legitimate or lawful purpose, and this single act must reasonably cause you to suffer substantial emotional distress.¹

For a “single act” to qualify as harassment, it must include a malicious and intentional threat or the presence of a firearm or other weapon.²

As explained above, for the acts to be unlawful harassment, they cannot be considered to “serve a legitimate or lawful purpose.” To decide if the actions are for a legitimate or lawful purpose, the court will consider whether:

• the abuser started the current contact between you two or whether you both contacted each other;
• the abuser has been given clear notice that all future contact with you is unwanted;
• the acts appear designed to alarm, annoy, or harass you;
• the abuser is acting to try to protect a legal interest in his/her property or liberty, to enforce a law, or to meet a legal obligation;
• the abuser’s acts unreasonably interfere with your privacy or create an intimidating, unfriendly (hostile), or offensive living environment for you; and
• there was a court order in the past that limited the abuser’s contact with you or your family.³

¹ R.C.W. §§ 7.105.010(6)(a); 7.105.010(36)
² R.C.W. § 7.105.010(36)
³ R.C.W. § 7.105.010(6)(b)