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Legal Information: Connecticut

Restraining Orders

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Updated: 
January 3, 2024

Who qualifies for a civil protection order?

If you are a victim of sexual abuse, sexual assault, or stalking by someone who is not a family or household member, you can apply for a civil protection order in the Superior Court. If the abuser is a family or household member, then you would apply for a relief from abuse order instead, not a civil protection order.1

For the purpose of qualifying for a civil protection order, stalking is when someone commits two or more of the following acts in a threatening, aggressive, or disturbing manner:

  • harassing you;
  • following you;
  • lying in wait for you;
  • putting surveillance on you or monitoring you;
  • sending you unwanted gifts or messages.1

The person can commit these acts directly, indirectly, or through a third person, and by any method, device, or other means. The actions must cause you to reasonably fear for your physical safety.1

1 C.G.S. § 46b-16a

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