§ 50D-2 — Commencement of action; filing fees not permitted; assistance

(a) An action is commenced under this Chapter by filing a verified complaint for a permanent civil no-contact order in district court or by filing a motion in any existing civil action, by any of the following:
(1) A person who is the victim of a human trafficking offense or sex offense that occurs in this State.
(2) A competent adult who resides in this State on behalf of a minor child who is the victim of a human trafficking offense or sex offense that occurs in this State.
(3) A competent adult who resides in this State on behalf of an incompetent adult who is the victim of a human trafficking offense or sex offense that occurs in this State.
(b) No court costs or attorneys' fees shall be assessed for the filing or service of the complaint, or the service of any orders, except as provided in G.S. 1A-1, Rule 11.
(c) An action commenced under this Chapter may be filed in any county permitted under G.S. 1-82 or where the respondent was convicted of the human trafficking offense or sex offense.
(d) If the victim states that disclosure of the victim's address would place the victim or any member of the victim's family or household at risk for further unlawful conduct, the victim's address may be omitted from all documents filed with the court. If the victim has not disclosed an address under this subsection, the victim shall designate an alternative address to receive notice of any motions or pleadings from the opposing party. (2015-91, s. 1; 2023-71, s. 1(a).)