Safety With a Protective Order
Many abusers obey protective orders, but no one can ever be sure who will obey and who will violate protective orders. Know that you may need to ask the police and the courts to enforce your protective order.
The following are steps you can take to help the enforcement of your protective order:
- Designate a specific location for your protective order. (Always keep it on or near your person. If you change bags, that is the first thing that should go in a new bag.)
- Give copies of your protective order to police departments in the community where you work, in those communities where you usually visit family or friends, and in the community where you live.
- Call the Domestic Violence Program if you have a problem with or questions about your protective order. Doorways can be reached 24-hours a day at 703-237-0881.
- Inform your employer, minister/rabbi/faith leader, and closest friends, that you have a protective order in effect.
- If your partner destroys your protective order, get another copy from the clerk of the court.
- If your partner violates your protective order, call the police immediately to report the violation. NOTE: Protective orders are a civil matter not criminal until it is violated.
- If the police do not help, you can contact your domestic violence advocate, attorney and/or the Commonwealth’s Attorney, and file a complaint with the chief of the police
department or the sheriff.
For an individualized safety plan, contact your local domestic violence program:
Arlington: Doorways Domestic Violence Program 24- Hour Hotline: 703-237-0881
For local, state, and national resources contact:
National Domestic Violence 24-Hour Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
