1. Victim and Witness Rights
- Kansas Attorney General – Victim Services Division
Provides victim rights education, support during court proceedings, and access to compensation programs. - Crime Victims Compensation Program
Offers financial support to victims for expenses related to crime, including relocation and medical bills.
2. Free and Low-Cost Legal Aid Programs
- Kansas Legal Services
Offers free or low-cost legal help to eligible residents for protective orders, stalking, harassment, and civil legal needs. - Kansas Judicial Council Legal Forms
Provides downloadable forms and instructions for civil protective orders and harassment injunctions.
3. Relevant Laws
- Stalking: Kan. Stat. Ann. § 21-5427
What it means: Intentional and repeated following, harassing, or contacting another person in a way that causes fear or emotional distress. Covers both in-person and cyberstalking. - Harassment: Addressed under criminal threat and communications laws (e.g., § 21-5415, § 21-6206)
What it means: Includes threats, obscene or repeated communication, or intent to alarm through digital or verbal means. - Bullying: No adult criminal statute. Addressed under Kan. Stat. Ann. § 72-6147 (Education Code)
What it means: Schools must implement anti-bullying policies including cyberbullying. Discipline and intervention may occur at the school level. - Defamation: Civil tort, not criminal. Guided by Kansas common law and court decisions.
What it means: Victims may pursue civil actions for libel (written) or slander (spoken). Kansas does not criminalize defamation.
4. Reporting and Hotlines
- Call 911 in emergencies or if you feel unsafe.
- Non-emergency issues can be reported to your local police department or sheriff’s office.
- Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence (KCSDV)
Connects survivors with shelters, legal services, and safety resources. - Statewide Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-888-823-2249
Provides 24/7 confidential support and crisis response across Kansas.
5. Support Organizations
- Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence
Offers comprehensive advocacy, housing, legal assistance, and prevention training programs. - StepStone
Provides transitional housing and legal advocacy for survivors of violence in the Wichita area.
6. Civil Remedies and Protection Orders
In Kansas, individuals may seek a Protection From Stalking or Sexual Assault (PFSSA) order, or a Protection From Abuse (PFA) order. These may include contact bans, residence exclusions, and digital restrictions. Free legal help and court forms are available through Kansas Legal Services.
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
- Kansas State Department of Education – Bullying Prevention
Offers school guidelines, complaint resolution tools, and state reporting requirements for bullying and harassment.
8. Court Forms and Filing Help
- Kansas Judicial Council – Protection Order Forms
Includes downloadable packets and instructions for filing stalking, sexual assault, and abuse-related protection orders.
9. Online Safety and Privacy Tools
- NNEDV Tech Safety Toolkit
Offers step-by-step tips for digital privacy, safe communication, and responding to online harassment or tracking.
Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
