{"id":4822,"date":"2023-07-27T14:50:45","date_gmt":"2023-07-27T18:50:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/reachma.org\/?p=4822"},"modified":"2023-10-26T15:05:54","modified_gmt":"2023-10-26T19:05:54","slug":"myths-facts-about-restraining-orders","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/reachma.org\/blog\/myths-facts-about-restraining-orders\/","title":{"rendered":"Myths & Facts About Restraining Orders"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

While we hope no one reading this blog will ever need to file a court order for protection,  everyone has the right to know this option is available. Here’s a quick overview of the process, but keep in mind that this is not intended as legal advice. Please speak to an attorney or a victim witness advocate<\/a> (employed by the local district attorney’s office) if you would like clarification on the law.<\/em><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\"image\n\t

What is a restraining order (RO)?<\/strong><\/p>\n

The purpose of the abuse prevention law<\/a> (Chapter 209A) is to provide individuals with a layer of protection from their abusers. It allows survivors to apply for a court order, which is sometimes called a 209A order, an abuse prevention order, a restraining order, or a protective order. We often refer to it as an RO.<\/p>\n

A full RO means the abuser must always stay at least 100 yards (the size of a football field) away from the person who filed the RO. Away from home, work, school, grocery store – from wherever the survivor may be. The RO might even require the abuser to stay away from the filer’s children.<\/p>\n\t

Myth: It’s hard to get a restraining order.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Fact: It’s easier to get a restraining order than people think.<\/strong><\/p>\n

There are a couple of different ways to get a restraining order. An attorney is not required, although everyone is always welcome to have one.<\/p>\n