Domestic Violence

Laws enacted on July 1, 2002 restrict who can and cannot obtain a Protective Order.

Individuals who can apply for a protective order include:

Household or family members

• Who have ever married, dated, had sex, child in common
• Includes same sex partners
• Ever related by blood, marriage, adoption or foster care (aunts, cousins, X-in-laws allowed)
• Stalking victims (No relationship need be proven)
• Sexual assault victims (includes child molest; No relationship need be proven)

Those who can NOT file for a protective order include:

• X-Wife vs. the current girlfriend (or vice versa)
• Neighbors/Co-Workers
• Strangers/Road Rage
• Roommates (Legislation introduced but not passed that would have added ‘cohabitation' to list of those who can file)