There are distinct differences between a Restraining Order and a Protection from Abuse Order. A Protection from Abuse Order is a civil document which has criminal penalties to it, and is obtained through the District Court Advocate or Domestic Relations Court if you are married, by writ or common law and the offender has been a household member.

A Restraining Order is strictly a civil document and you need an attorney to obtain one. Also if the restraining order is violated, you will need your attorney to go to court and have the Judge hold the violator in Contempt of Court.


A court issues Protection from Abuse Orders to victims of domestic violence. Depending on what the Judge orders in each PFA, the important issues are the abuser must stop threatening, stalking, or physically assaulting the victim. The abuser must stop contacting the victim in any form: telephoning, texting, email, or postal mail, personal contact or through indirect contact by a third party. A Restraining Order is issued by the court to protect someone from threats or physical abuse of any kind.

The Restraining Orders are different from Protection from Abuse Orders in that the Judge can include provisions for property, child support, spousal maintenance and child custody issues when there are issues during the separation period and the final divorce hearing.

Restraining Orders are set for a specific length of time, usually at six months but can be extended to years if the divorce proceedings are in conflict. Extensions of these orders must be requested by your attorney and approved by the Judge before in the initial order expires.

Protection from Abuse Orders are in force for at least one year. My temporary Protection from Abuse Order against my ex-husband was in force for three months before I won a default judgement in my divorce and received a Protection from Abuse Order effective until December 31, 2099 against my abuser after my divorce hearing.

Orders of Protection can be issued for longer durations as the Judge sees fit and can also be renewed by the request of the court.

The main difference between Restraining Orders and Protection from Abuse Orders is the penalties involved if the abuser violates the order. If the abuser violates a restraining order, then he or she will only face contempt of court penalties and fines.

But, if the abuser violates the Protection from Abuse Order, there are criminal and civil charges, ranging from misdemeanor to felonies, depending on the situations of violations of the Order and the number of violations that the abuser has accumulated.