Kansas Protection Orders and Survivor Support
DISCLAIMER: Please read before accessing Protection Order Forms
KCSDV does not provide direct services or legal assistance to victim/survivors. If you would like to speak with an advocate at local domestic and sexual violence program, find them here. We caution victim/survivors to consider safety planning as part of seeking any protection order. For more information about safety planning please review this guide: KCSDV Guide to Planning for a Safe Exit from Abuse.
For immediate assistance please contact your local DV/SA program crisis helpline here. You can also contact SafeLine Kansas 1-888-363-2287 or text SAFE to 847411. SafeLine Kansas is the 24/7 confidential and accessible helpline for victim/survivors.
If you are considering obtaining a Protection Order:
What is a protection order?
A protection order is a civil action, signed by a judge, that is intended to stop abuse, threats of abuse, harassment and/or stalking against you and/or your children.
Understand that submitting a protection order filing in person or via the Kansas Protection Order Portal does not mean that it is automatically granted. There are multiple steps to a protection order from choosing to file, selecting the which version best matches your circumstances, submitting your documentation, and court hearings prior to obtaining the protection order.
Once the protection order has been issued, it must then be served against the individual you identified in your filing. This is done by law enforcement.
In the legal process, a person who seeks an protection order is called a “Petitioner” and the person whom an order is sought against is called the “Respondent.”
What types of protection orders are there?
- Protection from Abuse Order (PFA)
- Protection from Stalking, Sexual Assault, and Human Trafficking Order (PFSSAHT)
The differences in protection orders reflect differing circumstances for the victim/survivor. It is important that you review and understand which protection order option fits the specific needs of the situation you are responding to. For each type of protection order: PFA and PFSSAHT there are specific legal requirements that must be met. You can review the requirements for the different protection orders at KSCourts.gov “What to Know”
You can also review the Kansas Legal Services: “What You Need to Know About Protect from Abuse (PFA) Orders in Kansas”
If you have questions about which order best reflects your circumstances or the experiences of the victim/survivor you are working with, please contact a victim advocate service provider or Kansas Legal Services at 316-267-3975, Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30pm.
Do I need to have an attorney to be able to file a protection order?
You can file for a protection order on your own, without retaining an attorney. However, legal representation may be useful in this process.
How much does it cost to file?
There are no filing fees for protection orders in Kansas. Please understand that while there is no filing fee in Kansas Courts for filing a protection order, you may need to pay an attorney to assist you. If you engage an attorney for support, make sure that you are getting a clear understanding of any costs for preparing a protection order filing and/or any costs associated with representing you during a protection order hearing.
Low cost or no cost legal representation is difficult to secure. Please contact Kansas Legal Services or the Lawyer Referral Line to discuss options.
Where can I file a protection order?
You can file a protection order in person at your local district court’s clerk’s office. Additionally, protection orders can be filed online through the Kansas Protection Order Portal by clicking here.
To prepare for the process, review the requirements and planning your responses.
Reminder, take care because the information provided will be shared with the person the order is filed against.
Filing a protection order can be a complicated or intimidating process.
If you are supporting someone that is considering filing a protection order and has questions, you can also reach out to an advocate for support.
Kansas Protection Order Portal and Protection Orders as part of a Safety Plan
While protection orders can be a useful tool to provide some relief, they may not be the best for everyone. Protection orders often work best when they are part of a comprehensive safety plan.
What happens once a Protection Order is granted?
Once final a protection order is granted its valid and legal in Kansas and every other state. Consider contacting the victim advocacy program in your state for guidance about having law enforcement enforce your protection order.
When the order is in effect, the respondent or defendant has been ordered to stay away from your home or workplace. They are legally ordered to stop abusing you, and cannot harass or stalk you.
If you are a sexual assault survivor, you are eligible for an Order of Protection even if you did not know or have a relationship with the perpetrator before the assault. For the purposes of getting an Order of Protection, any sexual act that occurred by force or without your consent is considered sexual assault.
Information for allied professionals and advocates:
As part of KCSDV’s role as the statewide coalition supporting advocates and service providers working to meet the needs of victims and survivors of domestic and sexual violence, we operate the Protection Order Project.
This project works to educate allied professionals, advocates, and the general public on the role protection orders play in responding to domestic and sexual violence as well as stalking. Victim/survivors who are looking for assistance in understanding their options for protection orders as part of safety planning or filing a protection order should contact their local DV/SA service provider advocates. Please visit the Kansas DV/SA provider index here.
We want to make sure this resource meets the needs of survivors going through the protection order process. Please send your questions to Gabrielle Munoz, KCSDV Protection Order Project Coordinator, at gmunoz@kcsdv.org.
Please practice safety planning and confidentiality best practices to ensure you are not creating the risk to the survivor or others.
Kansas Legal Services is also available to support survivors and others with questions about filing a protection order. Contact them at 316-267-3975, Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30pm.
If you are a survivor and you need assistance you can always contact your local DV/SA advocate here or SafeLine Kansas 1-888-363-2287 or text SAFE to 847411 24/7/.
Additional Materials:
Survivor Resources - Advocacy and Trauma Informed Hotlines
DISCLAIMER: If you are a victim/survivor in need of immediate assistance please know you can contact the following resources and speak to an advocate. Hotlines are available via phone and text.
SafeLine Kansas:
1-888-363-2287
or text SAFE to 847411
conversations are free, confidential and available 24/7
National Hotline Resources:
National Domestic Violence Hotline:
800-799-7233 (SAFE)
Text BEGIN to 88788
National Sexual Assault Hotline:
800 -656-HOPE (4673)
Online 24/7 chat
StrongHearts Native Helpline is a 24/7 confidential and anonymous culturally-appropriate domestic and sexual violence helpline for Native American victims and survivors.
Helpline: 1-844-762-8483
Live Chat resource
If you or someone you care about are not in immediate crisis, please review the Kansas DV/SA Service Provider resources list in your area for a program that can support you and share what resources are available.
Kansas DV/SA Service Provider Map
KCSDV does not provide direct services or legal assistance to victim/survivors. If you have additional questions or concerns, please contact KCSDV.
Legal Notice: Information on this site is provided as a public service to enhance public education and is accurate as of October 1, 2024. It is not intended to take the place of any statutory law, regulations or legal guidance documents. The information may be subject to change and should not be considered legal advice.