Can I Get a Protective Order?

If your stalker is a family member, someone you have lived with, someone you are dating, or someone you have had a romantic relationship with, you may be able to get a family violence protective order against your stalker. You must show that the stalker has harassed you or made you afraid that he or she will hurt you.

For help and information, contact:

*The West Virginia Coalition Against Domestic Violence Hotline

(304) 965-3552

*Your local domestic violence shelter

*The police

*An attorney

*The West Virginia Women's Commission

(304) 558-0070

To get a protective order, go to magistrate court and fill out a family violence protection order petition. In the petition, you will need to explain exactly what the stalker has done to make you afraid and how he or she has harassed you. A hearing will be held in the next five days, and the judge will decide whether to give you a protective order for either 90 or 180 days. The magistrate may give you a temporary protective order until the hearing.

If your stalker is not a family member or someone you have had a romantic relationship with, you may be able to get an injunction from the circuit court ordering your stalker to leave you alone. You will need a lawyer's help for this.

If the stalker disobeys a protective order or injunction, the police can arrest him or her. Nevertheless, many stalkers disobey protective orders, and stalk again. Whether you have a protective order or not, you should take precautions to stay safe from a stalker.