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Legal Information: Florida

Restraining Orders

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Laws current as of November 8, 2024

What is an injunction against dating violence? Who qualifies for one?

You may file for an injunction against dating violence if you have reasonable cause to believe that you are in immediate danger of becoming the victim of an act of dating violence by someone with whom you have or had a continuing and significant relationship of a romantic or intimate nature within the past six months.

You can file for the injunction if:

  • this person already committed an act of dating violence against you in the past and you fear that s/he will commit another act of violence; or
  • you have not yet been the victim but you believe that you are in immediate danger of becoming one.1

You can file on behalf of your minor child only if the child still lives at home and you are his/her parent or legal guardian.1

Any of the following would be considered an “act of dating violence”:

Note: If you have a child in common with the abuser or if you live with him/her or if you have lived with him/her in the past, you would not file for an injunction against dating violence. Instead, you would have to file for an injunction for protection against domestic violence.3

1 Fla. Stat. § 784.046(1)(b), (2)(b)
2 Fla. Stat. § 784.046(1)(a)
3 See Petition for injunction for protection against dating violence - Instructions