Restraining Orders

There are some things you may want to consider doing after you have been granted an injunction against harassment.  Depending on what you think is safest in your situation, you may decide to do any or all of the following:

• Review the injunction before you leave the courthouse.  If you have any questions about it, you can try to ask the judge or the clerk.
• Make several copies of the injunction as soon as possible.  Keep a copy of the injunction with you at all times.
• Leave copies of the restraining injunction at your work place, at your home, at the children’s school or daycare, in your car, with a sympathetic neighbor, and so on.  Give a copy to the security guard or person at the front desk where you live and/or work along with a photo of the harasser.  Give a copy of the injunction to anyone who is named in and protected by the injunction and encourage them to make their own copies.
• You may wish to consider changing your locks (if permitted by law) and your phone number.
• If the clerk is forwarding the order to law enforcement for service, you may want to call law enforcement to make sure they have received copies of the injunction against harassment from the clerk and to ask for updates on when it is being served. 
• If you are concerned about your safety when exiting the courthouse, you may want to notify a court officer and ask if s/he would accompany you to your car.

You may also wish to make a safety plan.   People can do a number of things to increase their safety from harassment.  Many harassers obey injunctions, but some do not and it is important to build on the things you have already been doing to keep yourself safe.  For tips on staying safe, go to our Safety Tips for Stalking Victims page.