Protective orders
Protective orders, and getting there safely
If someone has hurt you or threatened you, you can ask a judge to order them to stay away. We help you ask, and we plan how you get to court and home again.
We help people asking for a protective order, and we stay with the case through the full hearing a few weeks later. We help you write what happened in your own words, gather texts and photos, and plan for the day itself: where to park, where to wait, who walks you out.
If you’re in danger right now, call 911. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-7233. The button at the top of every page closes this site quickly.
From the first call to the full hearing
We start with your safety
Before paperwork, we talk about where you’ll stay and how we can reach you safely.
We write the petition with you
In your words, with dates. A judge often reads it the day it’s filed.
We gather what proves it
Texts, photos, medical records, witnesses. We help you save them where they can’t be deleted.
We stand with you at the hearing
We present your case, question the other side and ask the judge for the terms you need.
Protective order questions
Is it safe to contact you from my phone?
Use a phone and email the other person can’t see. You can text us instead of calling, and tell us whether it’s safe for us to leave a message.
What can a protective order include?
Usually that the person stays away from you, your home, your work and sometimes your children. It can also address temporary custody. We help you ask for what fits your situation.
Someone filed one against me. Can you help?
Sometimes. We take a limited number of these cases and can tell you quickly whether we can, or refer you to someone who can.
Talk to us when it’s safe
Tell us a little on the get-help page, or call the clinic.