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Apply for a protection order

Cambridge Police

209A Abuse Prevention Orders v. 258E Harassment Prevention Orders

Abuse Prevention Orders are more commonly known restraining orders (RO) and are available to protect a person who is in fear of physical abuse, experiencing physical abuse, and/or has been forced to engage in sexual relations by a current or former spouse, partner, family member, or live in roommate.

You can file for an Abuse Prevention Order at your local district court. If you plan on requesting custody of children or you have outstanding cases with your local probate and family court, you may file for an Abuse prevention order there.

Harassment Prevention Orders (HPO) are available to protect you against someone who is harassing, stalking, or sexually assaulting you, no matter what your relationship might be. You can file an HPO application at your local district court. 

Find more information about abuse and harassment prevention orders on mass.gov by clicking this link: https://www.mass.gov/topics/abuse-harassment-court-orders

Orders that can be issued by the Court on a Protection Order

  1. No abuse
    The defendant (person determined to be the abuser) must refrain from physically abusing you, threatening physical harm, attempting physical harm, and/or forcing you to engage in sexual relations.
  2. No contact
    The defendant can be ordered not to contact you in person, over the phone, by text or by email, through a third party, or by any other means of communication.
  3. To leave and stay away from residence
    If you and the defendant share the same residence, the defendant can be ordered to leave the residence regardless of who pays the bills or who is on the mortgage/lease.
  4. To stay away from your work and/or school
    The defendant must stay away from your school or workplace
  5. No contact with minor children in your care
    The defendant cannot contact minor children
  6. Custody of children
    You may request temporary custody of minor children in your care
  7. Surrender all guns and other weapons to the police
    The defendant must surrender all guns, ammunition, and gun licenses/identification cards to the police
  8. Address confidentiality
    You may request that your address stay confidential within the court so that your abuser cannot find it on any court paperwork

Important Facts about Protection Orders

  1. Protection orders are civil court orders. This issuance of a protection order does not result in a criminal record or criminal charges. However, violation of a protection order is a criminal offense and can result in the prosecution of the defendant.
  2. Unless you would prefer hiring a lawyer, you do not need a lawyer in order to file for a protection order, nor do you need a lawyer for protective order hearing.
  3. There is NO cost to file for a protection order.
  4. A protection order can be modified or terminated at any time after it is granted. To modify or terminate the protection order you should appear at the court where it was granted to file a motion to modify or terminate the order. Only a judge can modify or terminate a protection order. These requests are therefore subject to a hearing.
  5. It is important to keep a copy of your protective order on you at all times. It may also be a good idea to keep a copy at work, in your car, or on your phone to ensure that you will always have a copy available.
  6. If the court is closed you can go to the police department to request help with filing an temporary emergency application.  
 

3D. What to expect when filing for a protective order:

Page was last modified on 7/24/2023 8:11 PM
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