Personal Protection Orders (PPO)

A Personal Protection Order (PPO) is a Circuit Court order prohibiting a perpetrator from certain behaviors. A PPO allows the police to make an immediate arrest that would not otherwise be criminal. A PPO is effective upon the judge’s signature and remains in effect for no less than six months.​

There are three types of PPO's: Domestic, Stalking, and Sexual Assault.

• A Domestic Violence PPO would be appropriate when a domestic relationship exists, when an abuser is a spouse or former spouse, has a child in common with the victim, is a resident or former resident of the same household as the victim, or is a former boyfriend/girlfriend of the victim.

• A Stalking PPO would be appropriate when someone that does not meet the above criteria and has engaged in 2 or more contacts that meet the stalking definition. Stalking is any repeated action by any person that would cause someone to feel terrorized, harassed, molested, or afraid.

• A Sexual Assault PPO would be appropriate when sexual violence has been committed against you, when there is a situation where someone is in fear of sexual violence, or has furnished pornographic materials to minors.

It is not necessary to hire an attorney to file for a PPO. DASAS has advocates that can assist survivors in filing for a PPO.

​The forms can be found at your local Clerk’s office or may be obtained by meeting with a DASAS PPO Courthouse Advocate.

The survivor may have to report to the court on two occasions:

If the judge denies the PPO, the victim may request a hearing so the judge can hear their story.

The perpetrator also has the right to file a motion to terminate the PPO. If this occurs, the petitioner must appear at the scheduled hearing.

It is the survivors’ responsibility to have the PPO served to the abuser. Any adult (with the exception of the survivor) can serve the PPO.

​The PPO may also be mailed to the abuser via registered restricted mail. For a fee, a process server and some police departments will serve the order.

Staying Safe With Your PPO

Carry Your Papers

Always keep a copy of your PPO and Proof of Service with you. Keep a second copy in a safe place. You can ask the court clerk for extra copies of the order (or you can make extra copies) to give to your children’s schools or daycare providers, your place of work, and others who need to know about it.

Safety Planning

Your chances of being hurt by the abuser may increase when you leave an abusive relationship or seek legal help. Planning for your safety ahead of time can help. Your safety plan might include things such as:

• Where to go or whom to call if you feel threatened

• Important telephone numbers

• An escape plan

• Checklists of important things to take with you when you leave the abuser