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Restraining Orders (click here for more details)
The Abuse Prevention Act (Chapter 209A) provides you protection under the law from your spouse, ex-spouse, blood relative, household member, the father of your child and even former household member in any of the following circumstances:
- If he is causing or attempting to cause physical harm. This includes pushing, shoving, kicking, slapping, punching, etc.
- If he places you in fear of serious imminent physical harm. This means that the abuser has done something to place you in fear or anticipation of immediate physical harm. For instance, if he waves a clenched fist in your face and says, "You're going to get it this time," but does not actually punch or attempt to punch you, this is itself abuse. Emotional harassment coupled with a threatening gesture or act amounts to abuse.
- If he makes you engage in sexual relations by force, threat or harassment. This means that nobody can force you to have sex, not even your husband. If you don't want to have sex and he forces you to, this amounts to rape and abuse. You can obtain a protective order to stop this from happening.