If your protective order is violated, call your local police department RIGHT AWAY and ask that a report be made. Do not wait several hours or until the next day. The police will be able to make an arrest quicker if they know about the violation as soon as possible.
The protective order will say what your abuser is not allowed to do (i.e. come to your home or work, call you at home or work, etc.) If any of these things are done, there has been a violation of the protective order. A violation of a protective order is a Class 1 misdemeanor. Other charges may be added such as contempt of court (not doing what the judge said to do).
Always keep a copy of your protective order with you and give a copy to your employer. Also, try to always have your own identification with you at all times
If the violation happens in another town from where it was given , you can still call the police in the location where you are. Show your protective order to the police and explain how the protective order was violated.
If your protective order was issued from a state other than Virginia , the courts in Virginia will honor the protective order. Take a copy to the police station where you are staying in Virginia so it will be on record. Always keep a copy with you. This will help police officers to enforce it more quickly if there is a violation.
If the violation was in person, try to give a description of what your abuser was wearing, the type of car, license plate, and direction he/she left the scene.
If the violation was over the phone , give the time of the call, where the call was made from if you know (number from caller ID), tell what was said, and record the call if you are able. If someone was with you when the call came in, or if a receptionist took the call for you, ask the person to be a witness for you.
For more information call 800.838.8238 or email Hotline@vsdvalliance.org. E-mail is not a secure form of communication. To ensure confidentiality please call the Family Violence & Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.838.8238 (V/TTY).
