What are the grounds for a restraining order?

A restraining order, also known as an order of protection, is a court order that is issued in Virginia to protect a person from being physically or emotionally harmed by another person, such as a family member or intimate partner. In Virginia, a court may grant a restraining order if it finds that the applicant has been subject to an act of violence, force, or threat by the respondent, or that the respondent has harassed, stalked, or threatened to assault the applicant. The court may also grant a restraining order if it finds that the respondent has exhibited a pattern of emotional or mental abuse towards the applicant, or has interfered with the applicant’s personal liberty or caused the applicant to suffer substantial emotional distress. In addition, the court may grant a restraining order if it finds that the applicant has been abused or is at risk of abuse by the respondent, or that the respondent has committed or threatened to commit an act of sexual assault or harassment against the applicant. The court may also issue a restraining order if it finds that the respondent has stalked or threatened to stalk the applicant, or has harassed or threatened to harass the applicant by any means. Finally, a restraining order may be issued if the court finds that the respondent has directly or indirectly engaged in any other type of conduct that places the applicant in reasonable fear of bodily harm or of the safety of his or her family or household.

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What are the grounds for a restraining order?

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