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Adolescent and Young Adult Perspectives on Legal Help-Seeking for Intimate Partner Violence
Anna E Bender1, Leah Hardenbergh1, Megan Moore1
1University of Washington, Seattle, USA.
Journal of Interpersonal Violence
|July 29, 2026
Summary
Adolescents and young adults face barriers accessing legal help for intimate partner violence (IPV). Improving access to civil protection orders (CPOs) requires addressing privacy, trust, and logistical issues for IPV survivors.
Area of Science:
- Adolescent health
- Legal studies
- Sociology
Background:
- Adolescence and young adulthood are critical periods for experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV).
- Civil protection orders (CPOs) offer legal recourse for IPV survivors, but their use among adolescents and young adults (AYAs) is understudied.
- Understanding help-seeking behaviors for IPV is crucial for developing effective support systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine barriers and facilitators to seeking legal help, specifically CPOs, among AYAs who have experienced IPV.
- To identify AYAs' perspectives on legal system engagement and their decision-making processes.
- To gather recommendations for improving access to legal services for young IPV survivors.
Main Methods:
- Conducted semi-structured interviews with 30 AYAs (aged 14-24) in King County, Washington, who experienced IPV.
- Interview topics covered IPV disclosure, help-seeking, desired outcomes, CPO knowledge, and legal system attitudes.
- Utilized thematic analysis within a socioecological framework to analyze transcribed interviews.
Main Results:
- Key barriers included privacy concerns, perceived insufficient abuse severity, fear of contact, legal system mistrust, logistical challenges, and cultural stigma.
- Facilitators for seeking legal help were the need for physical safety, third-party enforcement, and potential consequences for abusers.
- Participants recommended policy changes regarding parental consent and increased school-based resources.
Conclusions:
- Multiple socioecological levels influence AYAs' perceptions and use of legal services for IPV.
- While CPOs may not suit all survivors, informed choices and agency are vital.
- Enhanced education and reduced barriers are essential for improving AYAs' access to legal remedies for IPV.
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