How Do I Get Domestic Violence (DV) Assistance?

• are married, divorced, or currently separated;
• are related by marriage, blood or adoption (this includes stepparents and stepchildren if they have lived with you for at least 90 days in the past year);
• have lived together in a sexual relationship for at least 90 days in the past year;
• are the parents of a child together;
• have had a sexual relationship with each other in the past year;
• are a vulnerable adult;
• were raped or sexually assaulted by the other person (including attempts) in the past six months.

A parent or guardian may file a protective order ON BEHALF of a minor (under age 18) if:

• The minor child is the current or former spouse of the respondent.
• The minor child has had a sexual relationship with the respondent and has resided with the respondent in the home for a period of at least 90 days within the last year.
• The minor child is related to the respondent by blood, marriage, or adoption.
• The minor child is the stepparent, child, or stepchild of the respondent or person eligible for relief and has resided with the respondent for 90 days during the past year.
• The minor child has a child in common with the respondent.
• The minor child has had a sexual relationship with the respondent within one (1) year before the filing of the petition.
• Within six (6) months before the filing of the petition the respondent committed rape or a sexual offense or attempted rape or sexual offense against the minor child.

• An act that caused serious bodily harm
• An act that placed the petitioner in fear of imminent harm
• Assault in any degree
• Rape or sexual offense
• Attempted rape or sexual offense
• False imprisonment
• Criminal stalking
• Revenge porn

• Stop threatening or committing abuse
• Stay away from the petitioner’s home, place of employment or school
• Have no contact with the petitioner or others
• Award temporary use and possession of the home to the petitioner
• Award temporary custody of children to the petitioner
• Award temporary financial support
• Require the respondent to surrender all firearms and refrain from possession of firearms for the duration of the order. (State law requires the respondent to surrender all firearms to a law enforcement agency if a Final Protective Order is issued.)
• Award temporary possession of any pet of a person eligible for relief or respondent
• Order any other relief that the judge determines is necessary to protect a person eligible for relief from abuse (applies to a Final Protective Order, only)
• Emergency family maintenance
• Temporary use and possession of a vehicle
• Counseling or DV program

• For the petitioner or any other eligible person

• District Court or Circuit Court

• FL4-501 et. seq.

• Anyone who does not qualify as an eligible person under the protective order

• An act that causes serious bodily harm
• An act that places the petitioner or the petitioner’s employee in fear of imminent serious bodily harm
• Assault in any degree
• False imprisonment
• Harassment
• Stalking
• Trespassing
• Malicious destruction of property
• Misuse of telephone facilities and equipment
• Misuse of electronic communication or interactive computer service
• Revenge porn
• Visual surveillance

• Refrain from committing prohibited acts
• No contact/harassing
• Stay away from residence, job, school, temporary residence
• Counseling or mediation
• Fees and costs (either party)

• Only for the petitioner

• District Court only except for juvenile matters

• C.J.P 3-1501 et. seq.