Restraining Orders

You may file for an interpersonal protective order (IPO) against:

• a current or former dating partner who committed dating violence and abuse against you, including stalking and sexual assault; or
• someone who is not a family member, dating partner, or spouse who committed stalking or sexual assault against you.¹

The judge may look at the following factors to decide if your relationship with the abuser meets the legal definition of a dating relationship:

• whether you expressed a romantic interest in each other;
• whether you expected affection from each other;
• your attendance at social outings as a couple;
• how regularly you and the abuser interacted with each other, including the types of interactions you had and whether you were involved with each other consistently;
• the length of the relationship and how long ago it ended, if applicable; and
• other signs of a substantial connection that would lead a reasonable person to believe that a dating relationship existed.²

An adult may also file on behalf of a minor who qualifies for an IPO. The law doesn’t specifically say that the adult has to be the minor’s parent or guardian.³

¹ Ky. Rev. Stat. §§ 456.030(1); 456.010(2), (7), (8), (9)
² Ky. Rev. Stat. § 456.010(1)
³ Ky. Rev. Stat. § 456.030(1)