Which statement about reporting underlying crimes for SAPOs is accurate?

• A. The underlying criminal behavior must be reported to police and prosecuted
• B. SAPOs require a detailed charge
• C. The underlying criminal behavior need not be reported to police or prosecuted
• D. SAPOs cannot be issued without an arrest

Answer: (C)

SAPOs are civil protections aimed at safety, not criminal punishment. Because they are civil orders, the court can grant protection based on the petition and supporting evidence showing a risk to the victim, without requiring that the underlying crime be reported to police or that anyone be prosecuted. This means an order can be issued even if there is no arrest or criminal case yet, or at all. The key idea is that the protective remedy stands on safety needs, not on the status of a criminal case. The statement that the underlying criminal behavior need not be reported to police or prosecuted best captures how SAPOs function.