What is an Order For Protection?
An Order For Protection (OFP) is an order the court makes to protect you from domestic abuse. It may direct the person who has abused you to:
- stop threatening or abusing you
- leave your household
- avoid contact with you and stay away from where you live, go to school, or work
- pay support to you and your children if legally required to do so
- pay restitution
- continue insurance coverage
- attend batterer's program, cd treatment or other counseling
An OFP may also award you temporary custody of your children and set up conditions for visitation.
Who is eligible for an Order for Protection?
You may file an OFP if you have recently been a victim of domestic violence. Domestic violence is definded as any act of abuse, including pushing, grabbing, hitting, pulling hair, kicking, forcing sexual acts, threatening with a weapon, or causing fear of physical harm. You are eligible for an OFP if you and the person who has abused you:
- are married or used to be married
- live together or used to live together
- have a child or unborn child in common
- are related by blood
- are involved in a significant romantic or sexual relationship
Under certain conditions, you may also file an OFP on behalf of a child if she/he has been abused.
Downloadable OFP Forms
| Instructions to Apply for OFP | Petitioner's Affidavit | Notice to Petitioner | Petitioner's Info Sheet | Law Enforcement Info Sheet |
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What happens if an Order for Protection is violated?
If the abuser assaults you, threatens you, or violates the order to stay away from you, call the police(911) immediately. In some cases, they are required to make an arrest.
If the abuser doesn't follow another part of the order, for example, doesn't pay child support, doesn't pay restitution, harasses you by phone, or doesn't abide by the child visitation order, FFR can help you bring the case back to court.