As of 2015, about 1.4 million Americans have been the targets of domestic violence per year. While an abuser may be someone you aren’t married to—a boyfriend or a stranger—they are still someone that you should take seriously and seek help for, rather than continuing to put yourself in harm’s way.
One way to protect yourself is by filing a Protection from Abuse Order (PFA). This order keeps your abuser away while also protecting you from them if they are deemed to be harassing or violating the terms of this order. However, if you are an abuser who is the target of a PFA, you probably want to know how to get around this order.
There are many reasons why an individual might want to break a PFA. For example, if you feel that your significant other is being too quick to invoke this protection, then you may be trying to manipulate them by getting them to drop the charges against you.
If your relationship with this person is ending and your abuser refuses to let go of their grip on you, then it may be time for some tough measures that go over and above a PFA.
Whatever your reasons for defending against a protection from abuse order may be—you need legal counsel from professionals who can help make the best case possible for your situation.
What Should You Know About a PFA Order?
When you are the target of a PFA, you will be responsible for going to court to demonstrate that the law authorizes your actions and that what you are doing is not threatening or harassing your abuser. At this point, any actions taken by the abuser may seem justified.
In addition, online resources and support services for abusers—who could be exes or family members—will be more accessible. This can make it harder for an abused person to prove their case and find a lawyer who will offer sound legal advice to help them.
However, you should know that although your abuser may try to make things difficult for you, you do need to fight for a PFA order. This is because if you lose, then it will be easier for your abuser to continue harassing or threatening you outside of the court system.
In addition, it usually takes a few months before PFA orders are granted and enforced because judges have the power to deny this protection.
Finally, if the judge orders a stay on any order against your abuser—meaning that they are not banned from contact with their victim—they can still violate the terms of this stay and keep their behavior against you going.
