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EspañolWhat is a sexual abuse restraining order?
Similar to a domestic violence restraining order, a sexual abuse restraining order is a court order that can protect you from an abuser if you are the victim of sexual abuse.
What is the legal definition of sexual abuse?
Sexual abuse includes:
- any sexual crime included in Chapter 709 of the Iowa Code (examples include sexual exploitation by a counselor, indecent exposure, and invasion of privacy);
- incest; and
- sexual exploitation of a minor.
Sexual abuse also includes behavior that is similar to the above acts that takes place in another state and is also a crime in that state.1
1 IA ST § 236A.2(5)
What types of sexual abuse restraining orders are there? How long do they last?
In Iowa, there are three types of sexual assault restraining orders: emergency, temporary, and final.
Emergency orders: When the court is closed or a judge is unavailable at the end of the day or on weekends, you can file a petition for an emergency order with the district judge or district associate judge. The judge can grant you an emergency order if it is necessary to protect you from sexual abuse. The abuser does not have to receive notice of your case for the judge to grant an emergency order. Emergency orders last for 72 hours.1
Temporary orders: When you file a petition for a sexual assault restraining order, you can ask for a temporary ex parte restraining order to be issued immediately. Ex parte means that the abuser does not appear at the hearing or have notice of the case beforehand. A judge can grant you a temporary order if s/he decides it is necessary to protect you before the hearing for a final order, and you have given the judge good cause to believe the incidents in your petition.2 Your temporary order will last until your hearing for a final order. The court will schedule your hearing for a final order to take place between 5 – 15 days from when the abuser receives notice of the temporary order.3 The judge could also issue a subpoena (an order) requiring witnesses to appear and testify in the case if you or the abuser ask the judge to do so. The judge must also let the abuser know that s/he has the right to hire an attorney for the trial.4
Final orders: Before the judge can grant a final order, the abuser must have the opportunity to appear in court to present evidence and testimony. At that hearing, the abuser can agree to consent to the order without admitting to committing sexual abuse or the respondent can ask for a trial. If there is a trial in your case and the judge finds that the abuser has sexually abused you, the judge can grant you a final order. The judge can issue the final order to last for up to one year.5 The order can also be extended multiple times. See Can I extend my order? for more information.
1 IA ST § 236A.8(1), (2)
2 IA ST § 236A.6(2)
3 IA ST § 236A.6(1)
4 IA ST § 236A.6(4), (5)
5 IA ST § 236A.7(2), (1A)
What protections can I get in a sexual abuse restraining order?
A sexual abuse restraining order can order the abuser to:
- stop sexually abusing you; and
- stay away from your home, school, and work.1
The judge may also be able to order additional protections in your order depending on your situation and may even order the abuser to pay your attorney’s fees and court costs.2 Be sure to include any specific requests in your petition.2
In addition, your order should include information about whether the abuser should be arrested for violating the terms of the order.3
1 IA ST § 236A.7(1)
2 IA ST § 236A.7(1),(4)
3 IA ST § 236A.7(3)
Si el agresor vive en otro estado, ¿puedo conseguir una orden en su contra?
Si el/la agresor/a vive en un estado diferente al suyo, el/la juez/a podría no tener “jurisdicción personal” (poder) sobre ese/a agresor/a. Esto significa que es posible que el tribunal no pueda otorgar una orden en contra de él/ella.
Hay algunas formas en las que una corte puede tener jurisdicción personal sobre un/a agresor/a que es de otro estado:
- El/la agresor/a tiene una conexión sustancial a su estado. Quizás el/la agresor/a viaja regularmente a su estado para visitarlo/a, por negocios, para ver la familia extendida, o el/la agresor/a vivía en su estado y huyó recientemente.
- Uno de los actos de maltrato “ocurrió” en su estado. Quizás el/la agresor/a le envía mensajes amenazantes o le hace llamadas acosadoras desde otro estado pero usted lee los mensajes o contesta las llamadas mientras usted está en su estado. El/la juez/a puede decidir que el maltrato “ocurrió” mientras estaba en su estado. También puede ser posible que el/la agresor/a estaba en su estado cuando le maltrató pero desde entonces se fue del estado.
- Otra forma para que la corte adquiera jurisdicción es si usted presenta su petición en el estado donde usted está, y el/la agresor/a recibe notificación de la petición de la corte mientras él/ella está en ese estado.
Sin embargo, aunque nada de esto aplique a su situación, eso no necesariamente significa que usted no pueda conseguir una orden. A usted le pueden dar una orden por consentimiento o el/la juez/a puede encontrar otras circunstancias que permitan que la orden sea dada. Puede leer más sobre jurisdicción personal en nuestra sección de Asuntos Básicos del Sistema Judicial - Jurisdicción Personal.
Nota: Si el/la juez/a de su estado se niega a dar una orden, usted puede pedir una orden en la corte del estado donde vive el/la agresor/a. Sin embargo, recuerde que es probable que usted necesite presentar la petición en persona y asistir a varias citas en la corte, lo cual podría ser difícil si el estado de el/la agresor/a es lejos.
