1. Victim and Witness Rights
- Kentucky Attorney General – Office of Victims Advocacy
Offers information about victim rights, compensation programs, and assistance navigating the criminal justice system. - Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet – Victim Services
Coordinates statewide programs for legal assistance, victim notification, and crisis services.
2. Free and Low-Cost Legal Aid Programs
- Kentucky Legal Aid
Offers free civil legal services for low-income Kentuckians dealing with abuse, harassment, or stalking. - Legal Aid Society – Louisville
Provides protective order help, domestic violence advocacy, and legal assistance for eligible individuals.
3. Relevant Laws
- Stalking: KRS § 508.140 and § 508.150
What it means: Repeated conduct that intentionally causes a person to fear for their safety. Aggravated stalking applies if protective orders are violated or weapons are involved. - Harassing Communications: KRS § 525.080
What it means: Sending electronic, phone, or written communications with intent to harass, intimidate, or alarm another person. - Bullying: No adult criminal statute. Addressed under KRS § 158.148 (Education Code)
What it means: Requires schools to implement anti-bullying policies and discipline plans. Covers cyberbullying and verbal or physical student harassment. - Defamation: Civil tort, not criminal. Based on Kentucky common law and court precedent.
What it means: Defamation claims (libel or slander) may be filed in civil court if false statements harm a person’s reputation. Kentucky does not criminalize defamation.
4. Reporting and Hotlines
- Call 911 in emergencies or if you are in danger.
- Report non-emergency incidents to your local police or sheriff’s department.
- Kentucky Coalition Against Domestic Violence (KCADV)
Connects survivors with legal advocacy, shelter, and safety planning support. - Statewide Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-752-5835
Confidential support available 24/7 for individuals across Kentucky.
5. Support Organizations
- Kentucky Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Provides shelter coordination, advocacy, prevention education, and legal help to survivors of abuse and stalking. - GreenHouse17
Offers trauma-informed advocacy, legal support, and residential services in central Kentucky.
6. Civil Remedies and Protection Orders
Kentucky allows individuals to file for an Interpersonal Protective Order (IPO) or a Domestic Violence Order (DVO), depending on the relationship and conduct involved. Orders can prohibit contact, monitor locations, and restrict digital harassment. Legal aid providers and advocacy groups assist with filings.
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
- Kentucky Department of Education – Bullying Prevention
Provides reporting protocols, definitions, and intervention tools for bullying and school-based harassment cases.
8. Court Forms and Filing Help
- Kentucky Court of Justice – Legal Forms
Access court-approved forms for protective orders and instructions for civil filings related to stalking or harassment.
9. Online Safety and Privacy Tools
- NNEDV Tech Safety Toolkit
Provides resources for protecting personal information and navigating digital abuse, including cyberstalking and impersonation.
Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
