Protection from Abuse & Sexual Assault

<< FAMILY RELATED LEGAL PROBLEMS

If you are being abused by a family member, you may file a petition in court for a Protection From Abuse order.

Help with Protection From Abuse Orders in Philadelphia

Basic Information about Protection Orders
Emergency Protection Orders are available when Family Court is closed.
Philadelphia Family Court Forms (This link takes you to Philadelphia Family Court, then select Domestic Relations and then Protection from Abuse)
http://www.phila.gov/HumanRelations/PDF/DomesticSexualViolenceLeavePoster_English.pdf If you need time off work to file for a protection order, Philadelphia requires employers to give paid or unpaid leave for domestic abuse, sexual assault or stalking.
- Use of Paid Sick Time if your employer is required to provide paid sick days by Philadelphia.
- Unpaid leave. https://www.phila.gov/services/working-jobs/worker-protections/paid-or-unpaid-leave/file-for-unpaid-leave-because-of-domestic-violence-or-sexual-assault/

If you need assistance in filing for a protection order, help is available from:

Women Against Abuse Legal Center
Philadelphia Legal Assistance
Senior LAW Center https://seniorlawcenter.org/services/about/
Legal Clinic for the Disabled https://lcdphila.org/about-the-legal-clinic-for-the-disabled/
Philadelphia Bar Association Lawyer Referral and Information Service https://lris.philadelphiabar.org/

Help with Protection From Abuse Orders in Allegheny County

Basic Information about Protection Orders, including a form to complete to electronically file a Protection From Abuse Petition https://www.alleghenycourts.us/family/pfa/pfa_instructions.aspx
FAQs About PFAs https://www.alleghenycourts.us/downloads/family/pfa/pfa_faq.pdf
Service of Temporary PFA Order https://www.alleghenycourts.us/family/pfa/serving.aspx
If you need assistance in filing for a protection order, help is available from:
- Neighborhood Legal Services Association
  - Free legal representation: Information and applications for free legal representation for the Final PFA Hearing through Neighborhood Legal Service Association will be provided to Self-Represented Plaintiffs following the Temporary PFA hearing.
- Women’s Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh
- Allegheny County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service https://www.getapittsburghlawyer.com/

Help with Protection from Abuse Orders in other PA counties

PA Law Help
To find a private lawyer, check with your county’s Bar Association.

Help with Sexual Violence Protection Orders

A Sexual Violence Protection Order is designed to protect victims of sexual violence from further abuse and/or intimidation by their abuser, when the perpetrator is not an intimate or household member.

Pennsylvania Resources