Child Abuse Protective/Restraining Orders

Programs that help minor children who are victims of abuse or their advocates (a parent, step-parent or legal guardian) obtain an order from the court which requires that the abuser (who may be a family member or someone outside the family) stay away from the child or face serious legal consequences. The abuser must avoid the child victim's residence or any place temporarily occupied by the child victim or both, and avoid contacting or causing any person other than a party's attorney to contact the child victim (unless the petitioner consents to that contact in writing and the judge agrees that the contact is in the best interests of the child).