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Legal Information: Indiana

Restraining Orders

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Updated: 
November 14, 2023

What is the legal definition of domestic violence (family violence) in Indiana?

This section defines domestic violence for the purposes of getting a civil order for protection. Domestic violence, also known as family violence, is when a family or household member commits one or more of the following acts against you:

  • attempting to cause, threatening to cause, or causing you physical harm;
  • placing you in fear of physical harm;
  • stalking you;
  • causing you to involuntarily engage in sexual activity by force, threat of force, or duress;
  • committing a sex offense against you;
  • abusing, torturing, mutilating, or killing an animal with the intent to threaten, intimidate, coerce, harass, or terrorize you.1

In addition, for the purposes of getting a civil order for protection, the following people can get an order for protection against anyone, even if the person is not a family or household member:

1 IC § 34-6-2-34.5
2 IC § 34-6-2-5-2