When a relationship or conflict becomes violent or is at risk of becoming violent, individuals can request an Order for Protection. This civil court order requests that the court protect you (and sometimes your children) from an abuser (the Defendant). The Order For Protection can:

• Order the Defendant to refrain from committing violent acts.
• Order the Defendant not to come to your home.
• Order the Defendant to stop contacting you, or harassing you on the street, by mail, on the phone, at school or at work.
• Say who your children can live with for now and when the Defendant can visit them.
• Order supervised visitation if necessary.