A Protection from Abuse order (PFA) is a document that is signed by a judge that tells the alleged abuser to stop the abuse or face serious legal consequences. It offers civil legal protection from domestic violence to both female and male victims.
If you need immediate protection when the courts are closed (such as on a weekend, late night, or holiday), and the judge feels you are in immediate danger, they can grant you an emergency order. An emergency order will only last until the next business day.
When you ask the court for a PFA, a judge may grant you a temporary PFA if they find that you or your dependent children are in danger of further domestic abuse and need immediate protection. This is an “ex parte” order which means that the judge will make this decision based only on the information you provide, without the abuser being in court. This temporary order will last until your full court hearing for the final PFA where the abuser has an opportunity to testify and present evidence.
After a hearing in which both sides have an opportunity to tell their side of the story through testimony, evidence, and witnesses, a judge can grant a final PFA. A final PFA may last up to 3 years and can be extended under certain circumstances.
A Sexual Violence Protection Order (SVPO) is designed to protect victims of sexual violence from further abuse and/or intimidation by their abuser, regardless of whether or not criminal charges have been filed against the perpetrator. Similar in many ways to a Protection From Abuse Order (PFA), the key difference lies in the relationship between the abuser and the victim. While PFAs require an intimate or household relationship between the two parties, a SVPO does not and is available to victims of sexual violence who are at continued risk of harm from their perpetrator.
SVPOs offer civil protection to any victim of sexual violence who is at risk of further harm by the perpetrator. Parents or guardians may seek SVPOs on behalf of minor children. Protections can be extended to other designated persons who are also shown to be at risk of harm.
SVPOs prohibit an offender from having any contact with the victim. Protections can include preventing the offender from entering a victim’s home, workplace, or school. SVPO protection can also be expanded to prevent intimidation/contact from a third party on behalf of the offender or to extend protection to related parties, such as parents, siblings, or children of the victim.
For more information on SVPO, click on the following link: Sexual Violence Protection Orders | PCAR
204 Spring Street
Meadville, PA 16335
Office Phone 814-724-4637
123 North Franklin Street
Titusville, PA 16354
Office Phone 814-775-0445
