Petition for Sexual Offense Protection Order

(a)A person who does not qualify for a protection order under contact or nonconsensual sexual penetration, including a single incident of nonconsensual sexual contact or nonconsensual sexual penetration, may seek relief under this Chapter by filing a petition with the court alleging that the person has been the victim of nonconsensual sexual contact or nonconsensual sexual penetration committed by the respondent. A petition for relief may be made regardless of whether or not there is a pending lawsuit, complaint, petition, or other action between the parties.

(b)A person may seek relief under this Chapter on behalf of another person is they have personal knowledge that such person has been a victim of nonconsensual sexual contact or COL 6/21/2023 CH. 40A SEXUAL OFFENSE PROTECTION ORDER nonconsensual sexual penetration, or any adult household member may seek relief under this Chapter on behalf of minor children by filing a petition with the court alleging nonconsensual sexual contact or nonconsensual sexual penetration by the defendant.

(c)Victim advocates, as defined in 6 GCA, Chapter 9, § 9102(a), shall be allowed to accompany the victim and confer with the victim, unless otherwise directed by the court. The court shall allow victim advocates to assist victims of nonconsensual sexual contact or nonconsensual sexual penetration in the preparation of petitions for sexual offense protection orders. Communications between the petitioner and a victim advocate are protected as provided by 6 GCA, Chapter 9 § 9102(b).

(d)Any proceeding under this Chapter shall be in accordance with the Rules of Civil Procedure and shall be in addition to any other available civil or criminal remedies.