Domestic violence survivors can attain criminal and civil protection or restraining orders to protect themselves from further abuse.
Under EPO
Under an emergency protection order(EPO), the police can ask the aggressor from the two parties involved to leave the home. The police can also remove guns from the abuser or offer short-term protection (3 to 7 days) to the victim.
Criminal protection order
In criminal protection order, the district attorney can request to resolve a pending criminal case. The judge can order the victim’s protection from the crime’s perpetrator or defendant.
All 50 states have protection orders named differently; some states term them as a restraining orders, while some call them orders of protection, the injunction of security, or protection order.
Read six measures to solve Domestic Violence
What are the different provisions in the protection order?
The following orders may also extend protection to other family members, visitation, and custody of children, pets, and current romantic partners of the victim.
- Peaceful Contract Provision permits the abuser to communicate peacefully with the victim for limited reasons, such as transferring visitation rights and caring for the child.
- Move out Provision provides the police with the to request the abuser move out of the house shared with the victim.
- Counseling Provision orders the abuser to attend counseling and includes anger management, batterer’s intervention, etc.
- No Contact Provision prohibits the abuser from emailing, texting, stalking, calling, attacking, disturbing, or hitting the victim.
- Firearms Provision disallows abusers from purchasing any firearm and requests him/them to surrender guns in possession.
Violating these protection orders can be treated as a misdemeanor, felony, or contempt of the court and observes strict penalties.
Whom can you contact for protection orders?
You can fill out the required legal papers and obtain a protection order from your local court.
For a free review of your case, you can contact a domestic violence attorney who will follow the present state law and help you with evidence against the abuser.