An Order for Protection (OFP) is a court order. It orders the abuser not to hurt the victim. It can also make the abuser leave the victim’s home and/or cease contact with the victim. If the abuser violates the Order for Protection, call the police. Violating an Order for Protection is a misdemeanor crime and the violator can be arrested.

What is Domestic Abuse?

Domestic Abuse is any physical harm including:

• Burning you with hot food, beverages or cigarettes
• Choking
• Kicking
• Locking you in a room
• Pulling hair
• Punching
• Pushing
• Shooting
• Shoving
• Slapping
• Stabbing
• Throwing things at you
• Creating fear of immediate physical harm (threats)* which can include:
  • Killing your pets
  • Saying things like “I’ll kill you if you leave me,” or “If you don’t give me the car keys, I’ll hit you harder than last time.”
  • Smashing furniture
  • Waving a gun or knife at you
• Criminal Sexual Conduct which includes forced intercourse or forced contact with intimate body parts, even if you are married. For a child under 18, this also includes any sex or sexual contact.
• Terroristic threats which can include:
  • Bomb threats
  • Threatening with a fake gun
  • Threatening to commit any crime of violence
• Interference with an emergency call including:
  • Emergency 911 calls
  • Emergency calls for medical or ambulance service
  • Emergency calls to police or the fire department
  • Other emergency calls

*If the abuser has hurt you in the past and these words or actions now cause you to believe the abuser is about to do it again, that is a threat of physical harm.

In the Event of Domestic Violence

It is not necessary for a victim to report the violence to the police in order to request an O.F.P. but the Scott County Sheriff’s Office strongly recommends a party does report the violence. This allows the criminal justice system to intervene in the situation. In an emergency, always call 911.

Family/Household Member Definition

Domestic abuse occurs to a family or household member if committed by a family or household member. Family or household member is defined as:

• Spouse and former spouse
• Parents and children
• Persons related by blood
• Persons who are currently residing together or who have resided together in the past
• Persons who have a child in common regardless of whether they have been married or have lived together at any time
• A man or a woman if the woman is pregnant and the man is alleged to be the father, regardless of whether they have been married or have lived together at any time
• Persons involved in a significant romantic or sexual relationship

Victims Seeking an Order

Victims of domestic violence may seek an Order for Protection (OFP) from Scott County Court Administration by calling 952-496-8200.

If you currently have a Domestic Order for Protection, carry a copy with you at all times.