1. Victim and Witness Rights
- Delaware Department of Justice – Victim Services
Offers advocacy, court support, and crime victim compensation services through the Attorney General’s Office. - Delaware Domestic Violence Coordinating Council – Victim Resources
Provides information and support for domestic violence and related criminal victimization, including stalking and harassment.
2. Free and Low-Cost Legal Aid Programs
- Legal Services Corporation of Delaware
Offers free legal assistance to low-income individuals for civil matters including abuse, harassment, and restraining orders. - Delaware Volunteer Legal Services
Matches eligible individuals with pro bono attorneys to assist in family law, protection orders, and defamation cases.
3. Relevant Laws
- Stalking: Del. Code tit. 11, § 1312A
What it means: Repeated conduct such as following, monitoring, or threatening someone in a way that causes fear or emotional distress. May involve digital surveillance. - Harassment: Del. Code tit. 11, § 1311
What it means: Intentional course of conduct that seriously annoys, alarms, or harasses another person. May include phone, text, or online contact. - Bullying: No adult criminal statute. Addressed under Del. Code tit. 14, § 4112D (Education Code).
What it means: Requires public schools to implement policies addressing bullying and cyberbullying. May lead to school discipline or juvenile referrals. - Defamation: Civil tort, not criminal. Governed by Delaware common law.
What it means: Defamation involves making false statements—written (libel) or spoken (slander)—that harm a person’s reputation. No criminal defamation law exists in Delaware.
4. Reporting and Hotlines
- Dial 911 for emergencies or threats of violence.
- Non-emergency reports can be filed with local police departments or family court clerks.
- Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence (DCADV)
Provides emergency services, advocacy, and legal referrals across the state. - Statewide Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-599-9919
Confidential, 24/7 support and safety planning services.
5. Support Organizations
- Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Offers training, legal services, shelter coordination, and survivor advocacy statewide. - CHILD, Inc.
Provides family support, domestic violence services, and child advocacy programs across Delaware.
6. Civil Remedies and Protection Orders
Delaware courts offer Protection From Abuse (PFA) orders for victims of domestic violence, stalking, and harassment. Family Court forms and assistance are available through court self-help centers and legal aid providers.
Important Note on Jurisdiction: If the individual you are seeking a restraining order against lives in a different state, your local court may not have jurisdiction to enforce that order. In most cases, you must file for protection in the state where that individual resides or where the conduct occurred. This applies even in situations involving online harassment, defamation, or stalking. Contact legal aid services in both your state and the other person’s state for guidance.
7. Youth and School Resources
- Delaware Department of Education – School Climate and Bullying Prevention
Provides reporting tools, policy templates, and complaint procedures for school-based bullying and harassment.
8. Court Forms and Filing Help
- Delaware Family Court
Offers forms and filing guidance for protective orders, harassment petitions, and abuse-related proceedings.
9. Online Safety and Privacy Tools
- NNEDV Tech Safety Toolkit
Helps victims protect themselves from online stalking, location tracking, and reputation harm via social media or digital threats.
Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
