Safety first

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If you need to talk to someone nowRegion

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, call 988 or text 98824/7 · Call or text 988. Free, confidential, for any kind of crisis.
National Domestic Violence Hotline, call 1-800-799-7233 or text START to 8878824/7 · Free, confidential. Over 200 languages via interpreters.
love is respect, call 1-866-331-9474 or text LOVEIS to 2252224/7 · For teens and young adults in dating relationships.
Crisis Text Line or text HOME to 74174124/7 · Text-based crisis counseling.
RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline, call 1-800-656-4673 or text HOPE to 6467324/7 · Free, confidential. Connects to a local sexual assault service provider.
The Trevor Project, call 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 67867824/7 · For LGBTQ+ young people. Free and confidential, by phone, text, or chat.
Trans Lifeline, call 1-877-565-8860Check current hours on their site · Trans peer support, run by and for trans people. Does not call police without consent.

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Recovered Archive / Safety

Legal Rights and Protective Orders

Protective orders, sometimes called restraining orders or orders of protection, are court orders that tell an abuser to stay away and stop contact. The names, rules, and availability vary by state, but the basic idea is the same: create a legal boundary that can be enforced by police.

What it is

A protective order is a court order that requires an abuser to stay away from you and stop contact. Different states use different names: order of protection, restraining order, injunction, no-contact order. Different states also have different rules about who can file, what proof is needed, and how long the order lasts. This guide is a starting point, not a replacement for a lawyer or advocate.

Types of orders

▌Emergency / ex parte. A temporary order granted without the abuser present, often the same day. It lasts until a full hearing can be held.
▌Permanent. A longer-term order issued after a hearing where both sides may present evidence. It is not permanent in the literal sense, but it can last years.
▌Criminal vs. civil. Some orders come through criminal court after an arrest. Others are civil petitions filed by the survivor.
▌No-contact orders. Prohibit the abuser from calling, texting, emailing, messaging, or using third parties to reach you.
▌Stay-away orders. Require the abuser to stay a set distance from you, your home, your workplace, your school, or your vehicle.

Names and availability vary by state. Always check local rules or talk to an advocate.

How to file

Contact a domestic violence advocate first, they can help you through the process, explain local rules, and sometimes accompany you to court. Go to your local courthouse or family court and ask for the petition for a protective order. The court may grant an emergency order the same day. A hearing will be scheduled for a longer order. Prepare your evidence: dates, screenshots, messages, witness names, police reports. Womenslaw.org has state-by-state information and plain-language explanations.

What an order can do

▌Require the abuser to stay away from you, your home, your workplace, and your school.
▌Prohibit contact through calls, texts, emails, social media, or third parties.
▌Grant temporary custody or visitation rules for children.
▌Require the abuser to surrender firearms in some jurisdictions.
▌Grant you exclusive use of a shared home, even if the abuser's name is on the lease or deed.

What an order cannot do

A protective order is a piece of paper, not a shield. It creates legal consequences for violations, but it cannot physically stop someone who is determined to harm you. Pair an order with a safety plan: secure your home, vary routines, tell people you trust, and keep evidence. Violations must be reported to police each time, the pattern of violations matters for enforcement.

If the abuser violates the order

▌Call 911 if you are in immediate danger. A violation during a threat or approach is an emergency.
▌Document every violation. Save messages, call logs, screenshots, and witness names with dates and times.
▌File a police report each time. Repeated reports build a record that courts and prosecutors take seriously.
▌Contact your advocate. They can help you report violations, request order extensions, or adjust your safety plan.
▌The pattern matters. One violation may be minimized; a documented pattern often leads to stronger enforcement.

Related guides

When to get outside help

Filing for a protective order is easier and safer with help. A domestic violence advocate or legal aid attorney can explain your state's rules, help you prepare evidence, and represent your interests in court. For state-specific forms and procedures, visit Womenslaw.org.

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