If you ever find yourself in a situation where you are a victim of abuse, the law makes provisions for you to get a restraining order also referred to as a protective order. It is a court injunction that seeks to protect you from any harm that may be a result of physical as well as sexual harassment, physical or verbal threats, domestic violence as well as stalking by another individual. The order informs the person on what to do or not to do. The person who files for a restraining order is called the protected person while the one being issued with the order is referred to as the restrained person.
Types of protective orders
There are several restraining orders that you may seek to get. Some of them are as follows:
Domestic violence order
It is an order given to a relative like your parent, child, brother or sister; or a person you have a close relationship with, and they have abused you. The close relationship may be your married or cohabiting, an individual you were romantically involved with or someone you have a child together. The order lasts longer and can be renewed when it has expired.
Civil harassment protective order
The restrained person here is someone other than the people whom you have a close relationship with and is physically or sexually abusive, threatening or stalking you. These include neighbors, friends and distant relatives like uncles, aunts, and cousins.
Workplace violence prevention order
If an employee under your supervision is suffering harassment and abuse, serious stalking and real threat to their lives and effectiveness in the workplace, you as their employer can get a restraining order on their behalf to protect them.
Elder or dependent adult abuse restraining order
The protective person can get the injunction if they are between 18-64 years and suffer from a mental or physical disability that keeps you from being able to protect yourself. If you are aged 65 and above, you can issue it to your caregiver if they have been neglectful, treated you poorly or abusively, and if there has been financial abuse.
It is possible to have more than one protective order as long as each one has been signed by a judge. It is advisable to get your family lawyer or any other licensed attorney to help with the process of acquiring a restraining order against an individual.
Share19 September 2017
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