Know the Laws

• State Law Overview

  Most of the laws relevant to domestic violence and sexual assault are based on state law.

• Restraining Orders

  Information about protective orders for family abuse and protective orders for an act of violence, force, or threat in Virginia.

• Custody

  Information about custody in Virginia.

• Parental Kidnapping

  This page addresses some general (not state-specific) laws of one parent taking a child out of the state or country, without the other parent's consent.

• Divorce

  General information about divorce with links to Virginia-specific information.

• Crimes

  General information (not state-specific) about crimes the abuser may have committed.

• State Gun Laws

  If you are a victim of domestic violence, then it may be illegal for the abuser to buy or have a gun.

• Suing Your Abuser

  You may have a right to sue your abuser for medical costs, lost wages, and to recover your property.

Federal Laws

• Immigration

  Immigration information for victims of domestic violence or sexual abuse.

• Federal Gun Laws

  Under federal law, which applies to all states, an abuser may lose his right to have a gun.

• Military

  Information about military protection orders and confidentiality on military bases.

Tribal Laws

• Tribal Law

  Information about tribal laws related to domestic violence and sexual abuse.

Religious Law

• Jewish Get Law (Divorce Law)

  A get is a divorce under Jewish law.