1. Victim and Witness Rights
- Montana Department of Justice – Victim Services
Offers information on victim rights, safety planning, restitution, and compensation for victims of crime. - Montana Crime Victim Compensation Program
Provides financial reimbursement for expenses related to personal injury resulting from a crime, including counseling and relocation.
2. Free and Low-Cost Legal Aid Programs
- Montana Legal Services Association (MLSA)
Offers free legal help for eligible individuals in cases involving stalking, harassment, domestic violence, and civil protective orders. - LawHelp Montana
Legal self-help portal with forms, information, and referrals for restraining orders, online abuse, and civil harassment.
3. Relevant Laws
- Stalking: Mont. Code Ann. § 45-5-220
What it means: Purposefully engaging in repeated behavior (in-person or electronic) that causes fear, distress, or substantial emotional harm. - Harassment: Mont. Code Ann. § 45-8-213
What it means: Includes obscene or threatening communication via phone or electronic means with intent to harass, intimidate, or torment another person. - Bullying: No adult criminal statute. Covered under Mont. Code Ann. § 20-5-208 (Education Code)
What it means: Requires public schools to adopt anti-bullying policies. Includes procedures for reporting and responding to bullying and cyberbullying incidents involving students. - Defamation: Civil tort, not criminal. Based on Montana case law and common law.
What it means: Victims may file a lawsuit for libel or slander when false statements cause damage to their reputation. Montana has no criminal defamation statute.
4. Reporting and Hotlines
- Dial 911 in case of emergencies or if you feel threatened.
- Report non-emergency incidents to local law enforcement or justice court clerks.
- Montana Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence (MCADSV)
Connects survivors to shelters, legal assistance, and trauma recovery services across the state. - Statewide Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-866-644-2273
Provides 24/7 confidential support, safety planning, and service referrals throughout Montana.
5. Support Organizations
- Montana Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence
Offers crisis services, prevention education, and legal referrals through its network of affiliated programs. - YWCA Missoula – Pathways Program
Provides emergency shelter, legal advocacy, and counseling for survivors of violence, stalking, or harassment.
6. Civil Remedies and Protection Orders
Victims can request a Temporary or Permanent Order of Protection in Montana for threats, stalking, harassment, or abuse. These orders can restrict communication, surveillance, or physical proximity. Legal aid services and court clerks can assist with filing forms and representing victims in court.
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
- Montana Office of Public Instruction – Bullying Prevention
Provides school policies, resources for families, and training for educators on bullying prevention and intervention.
8. Court Forms and Filing Help
- Montana Judicial Branch – Domestic Violence Forms
Includes downloadable forms and filing instructions for Orders of Protection and civil restraining orders.
9. Online Safety and Privacy Tools
- NNEDV Tech Safety Toolkit
Offers practical tools to improve digital privacy and protect against cyberstalking, impersonation, and online abuse.
Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
