Restraining Orders

In Virginia, family abuse protective orders generally do not cover people who are or were not family or household members.

However, assault, stalking, and harassment are against the law. You can see the definition of these and other crimes on our Virginia Crimes page. If one of these crimes is being committed against you, you may want to consider calling the police. If criminal charges are pressed against the abuser and a warrant is issued for the abuser’s arrest, a judge may be able to order him/her to stay away from you. You can also visit our Safety Planning page for ways to increase your safety.

If you do not qualify for a protective order based on domestic violence, you may be able to file for a Protective Order for an Act of Violence, Force, or Threat.

If you are being stalked or harassed, go to the Stalking Prevention, Awareness, and Resource Center website for more resources related to stalking and harassment, as well as safety planning information.

Protective orders also do not cover many types of emotional or mental abuse. If you’re being mentally or emotionally abused, please contact a domestic violence organization. They can help you figure out your options and offer you support. You can find domestic violence organizations in your area on our Virginia Places that Help page.