Stalking isn’t only about following someone down the street or making overt threats. In the District of Columbia, it can include repeated unwanted messages, phone calls, fake online profiles, or other conduct that makes someone reasonably fear for their safety or experience serious emotional distress. This definition reflects the reality for many people in the LGBTQ+ community whose experiences of harassment don’t fit neatly into stereotypical boxes.
Too often, folks have told me they assumed they couldn’t seek help because they weren’t in a relationship with the person harassing them, or because they haven’t lived with them. That’s simply not true. The law is focused on the course of conduct (what the person did) not the type of relationship you’ve had with them.
Because of this misunderstanding, many people go without a powerful legal tool that can provide real safety and peace of mind. The process in DC is designed to be accessible, user-friendly, and available without cost or the need for an attorney. Here’s how it works.
What Counts as Stalking Under DC Law
Under DC law, a person engages in stalking by purposefully engaging in a course of conduct directed at a specific individual that is intended to, or that the person knows or should reasonably know would, cause that individual to fear for their safety, feel alarmed or frightened, or suffer emotional distress.
“Course of conduct” means two or more instances of behavior. It doesn’t require following someone physically — repeated messages, unwanted contact, harassment through third parties, and other patterns of behavior can qualify. This broad definition is important in communities where online interaction and informal social networks are central to life.
Where to File for an Anti-Stalking Order
In the District of Columbia, all petitions for anti-stalking orders are handled through the Domestic Violence Division of the DC Superior Court — regardless of whether the parties were ever intimate partners or family members. It may seem counterintuitive, because the name sounds like it’s only for domestic or intimate partner violence, but this is simply the division of the court that processes these cases.
You can start the process in several ways:
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In person at one of the Domestic Violence Intake Centers:
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Moultrie Courthouse, 500 Indiana Avenue NW, Room 4550, Washington, DC 20001
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Anacostia Professional Building, 2041 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave SE, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20020
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By phone:
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Domestic Violence Intake Centers: (202) 879-0152 (Northwest) / (202) 879-1500 (Southeast)
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Domestic Violence Division Clerk’s Office: (202) 879-0157
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Online, through the DC Courts’ interactive filing application: https://www.probono.net/dccourts/domesticviolence/
The intake centers and online system will walk you through a series of questions and help you prepare the petition. You do not need an attorney to file — though you can have one if you want legal guidance — and there is no fee to file.
What You Need to File
When you file a petition for an anti-stalking order, you’ll need to provide:
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A description of the course of conduct — at least two separate incidents, with at least one occurring within the last 90 days.
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The dates, times, and places where the conduct occurred.
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Any evidence you have — messages, screenshots, witness accounts, etc. — that helps show the pattern of conduct.
The petition itself is an affidavit under oath asking the court to issue an order because you have been stalked as defined by the law. A fillable petition form is available from the DC Courts.
Temporary Orders and Final Hearings
When you file, you can ask for a temporary anti-stalking order (sometimes called an ex parte order). If the court finds it necessary for your safety, a judge can issue a temporary order without the respondent present — often the same day or the next business day. Temporary orders can last up to 14 days and, if needed, can be extended.
After that, you’ll have a hearing where both you and the respondent (the person the order is sought against) can present your accounts. The judge will decide whether to issue a final anti-stalking order, which can last up to two years.
What the Order Does and Why It Matters
An anti-stalking order directs the respondent to refrain from specific behavior — such as contacting you, coming near you, or engaging in other actions that contributed to your fear or distress. If the respondent violates the order, they can face serious consequences, including criminal penalties and contempt of court charges.
For members of the LGBTQ+ community, this can be a particularly important tool. Harassment, unwanted contact, and targeted behavior often happen outside of traditional intimate partner dynamics. The legal system recognizes this: you don’t need to fit a certain relationship type to be eligible for protection.
No Cost and Accessible
There is no cost to file for an anti-stalking order in DC, and the court system is intentionally structured to make this process as accessible as possible. You don’t need a lawyer, and the intake centers are there to help you get started.
If you have questions or want support navigating the form or your evidence, advocates at the intake centers or community organizations can help — and you can always call the clerk’s office for clarification.
About the Author: Nick Harrison is a Washington, DC-based attorney and community advocate who works extensively with nonprofit organizations, small businesses, and individuals navigating complex civil and administrative legal issues. He has served as outside general counsel to LGBTQ+ organizations, advised boards of directors on governance and compliance, and represented clients in matters involving personal safety, workplace conflict, and institutional accountability. In addition to his private practice, Nick is deeply engaged in community service and advocacy, particularly around issues affecting LGBTQ+ individuals and veterans. He often shares legal information and resources not as marketing, but as a way to help people understand and access systems that are often misunderstood or unnecessarily intimidating.
