Civil protection order portals offer greater access for domestic violence survivors

Project overview

For survivors of domestic violence, obtaining a protection order can be daunting. Fear, confusion, limited resources, and the ongoing threat posed by their abusers often prevent individuals from seeking help through the court system.

We're working to improve the civil protection order process by making it more accessible, efficient, and fair using secure, user-friendly virtual portals with support from the U.S. Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women.

"Survivors needing protection shouldn't have to navigate a complex or intimidating process," said Sarah Vandenberg Van Zee, NCSC court management consultant and project manager. "Through this project, we're developing national guidance to enhance virtual court portal technology to uphold safety, accessibility, and due process in cases involving domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking."

Sharing through the learning collaborative

This project brings together a learning collaborative that includes technologists, access-to-justice leaders, and experienced courts from Arizona, Kansas, and Indiana that have successfully implemented innovative e-filing and portal systems. Vandenberg Van Zee explained that portals can do more than facilitate document filing; they can also serve as centralized platforms where all parties can complete necessary tasks, access resources, and receive timely case updates.

The role of pilot courts

To further develop and refine best practices for portal technology, we'll be working with learner courts — jurisdictions interested in piloting the recommended guidance established by this project — through a learning collaborative.

From summer 2025 to fall 2026, selected courts will receive hands-on technical assistance to implement or enhance court portal technology to:

• Support survivor safety
• Enhance access to justice and the user experience
• Work with national experts
• Contribute to national best practices/guidance

Watch informational webinars about civil protection order portals:

• "Civil Protection Order Portals 101: Discover how virtual portals work and why they matter"
• "Implementation Basics: Learn key steps for successful portal adoption"
• "Q&A on the Learner Court Opportunity: Clarify expectations and the application process"

This project was supported by Grant No. 15JOVW-23-GK-05485-MUMU awarded by the Office of Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women.