1. Victim and Witness Rights
- Nevada Attorney General – Victim Assistance
Provides information on crime victim rights, safety planning, and assistance with the criminal justice process. - Nevada Division of Child and Family Services – Victim Services
Offers services for crime victims including shelter referrals, financial support, and mental health care.
2. Free and Low-Cost Legal Aid Programs
- Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada
Provides free legal representation in cases involving abuse, stalking, online harassment, and protective orders. - Washoe Legal Services
Offers civil legal assistance in northern Nevada for victims of domestic violence, bullying, and digital threats.
3. Relevant Laws
- Stalking: NRS § 200.575
What it means: Willful or malicious conduct that causes a reasonable person to feel frightened, intimidated, or harassed. Includes following or cyberstalking behavior. - Harassment: NRS § 200.571
What it means: Threats or conduct that places someone in reasonable fear of harm or undue emotional distress. May be prosecuted alongside stalking or cybercrimes. - Bullying: No adult criminal statute. Addressed under NRS § 388.122 (Education Code)
What it means: Requires all public schools to implement anti-bullying and cyberbullying policies with specific response protocols and student protection measures. - Defamation: Civil tort, not criminal. Guided by Nevada common law and precedent.
What it means: Civil suits may be filed for libel or slander when false statements cause reputational harm. Nevada does not criminalize defamation.
4. Reporting and Hotlines
- Call 911 in emergencies or if you are in immediate danger.
- Non-emergency reports may be made to your local police or sheriff’s department.
- Nevada Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence (NCEDSV)
Offers referrals to shelters, legal help, and advocacy programs across the state. - Statewide Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-500-3000
Available 24/7 to connect victims with crisis support and safety planning resources.
5. Support Organizations
- Nevada Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence
Statewide alliance providing training, survivor services, and local program referrals. - Safe Embrace
Offers emergency housing, legal advocacy, and trauma support in the Reno-Sparks area.
6. Civil Remedies and Protection Orders
Victims in Nevada can petition for a Temporary or Extended Protection Order for stalking, harassment, or threats. Orders may restrict communication, digital contact, and physical proximity. Free legal assistance is available through regional legal aid centers.
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
- Nevada Department of Education – Safe & Respectful Learning Environment
Offers anti-bullying resources, reporting protocols, and compliance standards for public schools and districts.
8. Court Forms and Filing Help
- Nevada Courts – Protection Orders Self-Help Center
Provides online forms, instructions, and filing guidance for restraining and harassment orders.
9. Online Safety and Privacy Tools
- NNEDV Tech Safety Toolkit
Offers best practices for managing online privacy, stopping cyber harassment, and securing devices against tracking or abuse.
Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
