Protection from Abuse Order

A Protection from Abuse (PFA) order is designed to protect victims towards an intimate partner or a family member for the following abuses:

• Attempting to cause or causing bodily injury (physical injury), involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, rape, or spousal sexual assault
• Being placed in reasonable fear of injury by a physical or verbal threat or menacing gesture
• Being kept in a place against your will by force or threat of force
• Physical or sexual abuse of a child
• Being followed or threatened in a way to place one in reasonable fear of bodily injury

Sexual Violence Protection Order

A Sexual Violence Protection Order (SVP) is designed to protect victims of sexual violence from further abuse and/or intimidation by their abuser, regardless of whether or not criminal charges have been filed against the perpetrator. Similar in many ways to a Protection from Abuse Order (PFA), the key difference lies in the relationship between the abuser and the victim. While PFAs require an intimate or household relationship between the two parties, a SVPO does not and is available to victims of sexual violence who are at continued risk of harm from their perpetrator.

Protection from Intimidation Order

A Protection from Intimidation (PFI) is a court order that prohibits adult offenders from intimidating (harassing and stalking) minor victims who are not in a relationship with the offender.

Protection Order Hearings

A hearing must be scheduled within ten business days after the day a petition for protection is filed and any temporary order is issued.

For the hearing, Plaintiffs (persons who filed the petition) can represent themselves, hire private counsel, or they may be eligible to have representation at no cost by the Domestic Violence Legal Clinic or MidPenn Legal Services. If legal representation is desired, it is important to contact an attorney as soon as a hearing has been scheduled. Copies of all Protection Orders are sent to law enforcement agencies with jurisdiction or reason to enforce it. Copies also are maintained in a statewide database.

Violations of Protection Orders are considered contempt of court. All violations of the Temporary Orders or Final Orders should be promptly reported to the local law enforcement agency that has jurisdiction to enforce the order. Indirect Criminal Contempt hearings are scheduled before a judge within 10 days of arraignment.

The majority of criminal contempt proceedings will be prosecuted by the Office of the District Attorney. In certain types of civil contempt, the Domestic Violence Legal Clinic may assist a victim at the contempt hearing.