What is an Order of Protection?

 

An Order of Protection (OP) is a court order which requires the abuser to stay away from you.

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The OP may also:

1. Order the abuser to move out of your home;

2. Order the abuser to have no contact with you by any means at all;

3. Award to you custody of any children you have with the abuser, as well as make child support and visitation orders IF there are no previous orders on theses issues;

4. Order the abuser to pay the rent or mortgage on your home, as well as pay some living expenses for you;

5. Award to you specific items of personal property;

6. Order the abuser not to dispose of any of your personal property or mutually owned property;

7. Order the abuser to participate in a court-approved treatment program for batterers or for drug users;

8. Order the abuser to pay for any services you have received from a domestic violence shelter;

9. Order the abuser to pay attorney’s fees or any court costs;

10. Order the abuser not to possess a gun;

11. Order the abuser to pay medical expenses for injuries they caused.