Protection Orders/Legal Actions

Protection Orders can be an important part of safety when it comes to abusive relationships. 

"A protective order can help protect you immediately by legally keeping your abuser/partner from physically coming near you, harming you or harassing you, your children or your family members. This legal documentation to keep your abusive partner away from you can often contain provisions related to custody, finance and more.

While protective orders may be able to put a stop to physical abuse, psychological abuse is still possible. As well as, the fact that protection orders must chosen to be followed by the abuser— so a protective order should never replace a safety plan. 

If you already have a protective order, it should be kept on you at all times — and copies should be given to your children and anyone they might be with — especially when you’re leaving your partner." (The Domestic Violence Hotline) 

You can get an application for a protective order at:

• Courthouses
• Women’s shelters
• Volunteer legal services offices and some police stations.

Advocates can also help with the filling out of personal protection orders, and fees can sometimes be waved for those in financial need. 

Safety tips and considerations about Protection Orders taken from The Domestic Violence Hotline and Domestic Violence Resource Center: 

• Call the police if your abuser violates the protective order.
• Keep a certified copy of it with you at all times
• Think of alternative ways to keep safe if the police do not respond right away.
• Inform family, friends, neighbors and health care providers that you have a restraining order in effect.

Other Legal Actions:

You also have the right to file a charge against your partner for things such as criminal assault, aggravated assault, harassment, stalking or interfering with child custody. Ask a volunteer legal services organization (attorneys who provide free legal services to low-income individuals) or an advocacy group in your area about the policies in your local court. Womenslaw.org is also a useful resource on state by state legal information. 

Picture source:https://www.betterhelp.com/start/?go=true&utm_source=Pinterest&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=hope&utm_campaign=android&pp=1&not_found=1&gor=start sources: Path to Safety - National Domestic Violence Hotline. (n.d.). Retrieved December 8, 2019, from https://www.thehotline.org/help/path-to-safety/., ljzd1o. (2017, November 1). Safety Planning. Retrieved December 8, 2019, from https://www.dvrc-or.org/safety-planning/.