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Legal Information: Vermont

Restraining Orders

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Laws current as of July 11, 2024

What is a sexual assault or stalking protective order?

A sexual assault or stalking protective order is a civil court order, which can protect you from someone who is not a family member or household member who has stalked or sexually assaulted you.1 A family member is a current or former spouse or someone related to you by blood or marriage. A household member is defined as someone who you:

  • live or lived with;
  • have or had a sexual relationship with; or
  • date or dated.2

When deciding if someone is your “household member,” it doesn’t matter how long you lived with, dated, or had an intimate relationship with the other person.2

If a family member or household member has stalked or sexually assaulted you, you may be eligible for a relief from abuse order instead. For more information, see the Relief from Abuse Orders section.

1 VT ST 12 § 5133(a)
2 VT ST 15 § 1101(3)

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