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Protective Orders
Protection from Abuse
If someone has physically hurt you or threatened to physically hurt you, you may want to ask a court to order that person to stay away from you. This is called a Protective Order.
In Travis County, the County Attorney’s Office can help you get a Protective Order. This is a free service. There is no fee to apply for a protective order. Call the County Attorney’s office at (512) 854-9415, or go to their office on the 3rd floor of the Granger Building, 314 West 11th Street, Austin, Texas 78701.
If the County Attorney’s Office cannot help you or you live outside of Travis County, you want to download Protective Order Instructions and Forms or call Texas RioGrande Legal Aid at 1-888-988-9996.
You may also want to contact Safeplace. Safeplace offers emergency shelter, counseling, and other support for survivors of domestic violence or sexual assault. Contact Safeplace’s 24 hour hotline at 267-SAFE (7233).
Get more information about Protective Orders, Restraining Orders, and Peace Bonds here.
What Can a Protective Order do?
- If some one has physically harmed you, or threatened to physically harm you, you may be able to get a protective order that can offer you some protection.
- The protective order may order the person to stay away from you, and not to call or harass you. It may also suspend the person’s right to carry a gun.
- If the person violates the protective order, he or she may be arrested.
What Can’t the Protective Order do?
The Protective Order is only a piece of paper. It is not bullet proof. It can not stop knives or fire. It does not offer 24-hour police protection. It cannot keep you safe from someone who has no impulse control, and isn’t worried about being arrested.
Even if a judge gives you a Protective Order, it is essential that you speak to a Domestic Violence counselor about how to make a Safety Plan to keep yourself safe.
The following links are helpful sites when dealing with domestic violence.
