2026/07/29 by Anna E. Bender, Leah Hardenbergh, Megan Moore +2
paper · doi:10.1177/08862605261455842
Adolescence and young adulthood are particularly vulnerable times for experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV). For some survivors, legal remedies, including civil protection orders (CPOs), can prevent further violence. However, little is known about legal help-seeking and CPO use among adolescents and young adults (AYAs). This study sought to examine barriers to and facilitators of seeking legal help, particularly CPOs, among AYAs who experienced IPV. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 30 AYAs in King County, Washington aged 14 to 24 years who experienced some form of IPV. Interview topics included disclosure of IPV, IPV help-seeking, desired outcomes, knowledge of CPOs, and attitudes toward and decision-making processes around engaging with the legal system. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed in Dedoose software. Guided by phenomenology, we used thematic analysis and organized themes by levels of the socioecological model. Barriers to seeking legal help for IPV included concerns about privacy/confidentiality, perceptions that abuse was not severe enough to warrant a CPO, fear of contact with abusive partners, lack of trust in the legal system, logistical challenges (e.g., time, money), and cultural stigma. Facilitators included the need for physical safety, having a third party to enforce rules, and potential consequences for abusive partners. Participants provided practical recommendations to facilitate increased access to legal services/CPOs, such as improved parental permission/notification policies and improved and increased access to resources in schools. Findings highlight barriers and facilitators at multiple levels that influence perceptions and use of legal services among AYAs. While legal remedies, including CPOs, may not be desirable or appropriate for all youth experiencing IPV, survivors should have full information and agency to choose from several appropriate options. Our findings underscore the need for additional education and reduced barriers to accessing legal services for AYAs experiencing IPV.