General Orders of Division II

2023-2 Using Victim Initials

In light of the increased availability of court documents through electronic sources, this Court concludes that additional steps are required to protect the privacy interests of victims and child witnesses in cases involving sexual misconduct.  Accordingly, it is hereby

ORDERED that in all pleadings, motions and briefs filed with this court, all parties shall use initials in place of the names of all victims and child witnesses in cases involving sexual misconduct except for use of the victim’s or witness’s name in the existing case caption.  The parties or the court may address the case caption as provided in RAP 3.4.

ORDERED that unless otherwise ordered by the Court, a record on appeal containing the names of victims or child witnesses in cases involving sexual misconduct is not subject to redaction.  However, if portions of the record are copied into a party’s pleadings, motions, or briefs or into an attached appendix, the copied record shall be redacted so as to replace the names of victims and child witnesses with initials.

ORDERED that in all opinions, orders and rulings, this Court shall use initials in place of the names of all victims and child witnesses in cases involving sexual misconduct except for use of the victim’s or witness’s name in the existing case caption.  The parties or the court may address the case caption as provided in RAP 3.4.

This General Order replaces and supersedes General Order 2011-1, which is rescinded.