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Abuse Prevention Orders for Plaintiffs

The abuse prevention law (Chapter 209A) is there to protect you against someone who is abusing you.

The abuse prevention law allows you to seek a court order, which is sometimes called a 209A order, an abuse prevention order, a restraining order, or a protective order. In court, the plaintiff is the person who asks the court to issue the order.

Information about abuse prevention orders

Featured links

COVID-19 resources for Abuse Protection Orders (209A)  Protection order process  Find court locations where you can get an abuse prevention order 

Getting an abuse prevention order

Eligibility for abuse prevention orders  How abuse prevention orders work  Request an abuse prevention order  What happens if an abuse prevention order is violated? 

Resources if you’re being abused

Court resources for safety & support  Resources available regarding abuse or harassment  Resources and support for stopping intimate partner violence  HelpSteps: Connects you to services to help you escape domestic violence 

More information about abuse prevention orders

Restraining order/abuse prevention order court forms  Massachusetts law about domestic violence (209A)  Ask a Law Librarian 

Locations

A list of court locations where you can get an abuse prevention order

Find court locations

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