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Legal Information: Louisiana

Restraining Orders

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Updated: 
November 21, 2023

What is the legal definition of domestic abuse in Louisiana?

This section defines domestic violence/abuse for the purposes of getting a protective order. “Domestic abuse” includes, but is not limited to, one or more of the following acts between “family members,” “household members,” or “dating partners”:

  1. physical abuse;
  2. sexual abuse;
  3. stalking or cyberstalking;
  4. “abuse of an adult” that is committed by an adult child against his/her parent or an adult grandchild against his/her grandparent – in this context, “abuse” can include physical or mental injury, sexual abuse, abandonment, isolation, exploitation, or extortion of funds or other things of value;1 or
  5. any other crime (“offense”) in Louisiana, whether it’s physical or non-physical, which you can access on the Louisiana Legislature website - however, “negligent injury” and “defamation” are not considered to be an offense for these purposes.2 

1 LA R.S. 46:2132(3), (4); LA R.S. 15:1503(2)
2 LA R.S. 46:2132(3), (4)