This final research report summarizes the findings from a mixed-methods study that investigated the effectiveness and accessibility of civil protection orders (CPOs) for adolescents and young adults (AYAs) experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV). Although CPOs are a common legal remedy for adult IPV victims, their effectiveness and accessibility for AYAs are not well understood. The primary aims of the study were to: (1) examine the effectiveness of CPOs in preventing IPV recidivism among AYAs aged 14 to 24 years, and to evaluate whether temporary and full CPOs are less likely to be awarded to minors (ages 14-17) compared to young adults (ages 18-24); and (2) explore AYAs' perceptions of CPOs, including their knowledge, attitudes, barriers, and facilitators.
For Aim 1, the study population included current or former intimate partners in King County who had a reported police arrest for IPV between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2020. Specifically, the study focused on cases in which the victim was aged 14 to 24 and the suspect was aged 14 to 29. Study subjects were identified using criminal records from the Washington State Administrative Office of the Court’s Justice Information System (JIS) database. The final study sample, carefully chosen to represent the diversity of AYAs in King County, consisted of 411 cases, of which 115 received a temporary or full civil protection order at some point during the three-year follow-up period. To supplement these data, between December 2022 and January 2024, 30 semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with a diverse group of King County AYAs aged 14 to 24 who had experienced a range of IPV and engagement with the legal system and CPOs.
Key findings from this report indicate that there was no significant protective effect of full CPOs on physical or sexual IPV within the studied AYA population. Moreover, there was a concerning increase in psychologically abusive IPV during the periods when temporary CPOs were in place. The research also revealed that adolescents were not less likely to be awarded full CPOs when they appeared at the hearing. Qualitative data highlighted numerous barriers to accessing and utilizing CPOs for AYAs, with participants identifying many more barriers than facilitators. The report recommends simplifying the CPO process, improving engagement with AYAs, addressing parental consent issues, and integrating resources and education within schools and communities, all of which are crucial steps in addressing this pressing issue.
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