Victims of domestic violence typically feel trapped. Often, leaving an abuser is a difficult proposition. This is because an abuser can become especially dangerous when his or her control over the victim is threatened. And this is why if you are trying to escape from an abuser, you may want to obtain a restraining order from the court.
Admittedly, a restraining order cannot outright prevent an abuser from continuing to cause trouble, but you can call the police to have the abuser placed under arrest if he or she violates its conditions.
However, if you do want to apply for a protective order, you want to make sure its contents pertain to your circumstances. In other words, you don’t want the abuser to maintain the ability to legally do something that could place you in jeopardy. The following are some of the kinds of provisions that can be included in a protective order:
- Move Out Provision, which orders the abuser to vacate the domicile that he or she shares with the victim.
- No Contact Provision, which forbids the abuser from hitting, attacking, stalking, calling, emailing or otherwise disturbing the victim.
- Firearms Provision, which prohibits the abuser from possessing a firearm.
- Stay Away Provision, which requires the abuser to maintain a minimum distance, usually at least 300 feet, from the victim or specific areas frequented by the victim.
Getting a protective order could save your life. But you want to be sure that your application fully describes your situation and the threats posed by the abuser. To do this, you can employ the assistance of a knowledgeable family attorney who can help make sure that your order is expedited quickly and offers you the protection you need. The attorney can continue to work on your behalf to make sure that the order remains active for so long as you need it.