Legal Information: Massachusetts

Restraining Orders

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Updated: 
November 30, 2021

What protections can I get in a harassment prevention order?

As part of a harassment prevention order, the judge can order that the harasser:

  1. stop abusing or harassing you;
  2. stop contacting you, unless contact is permitted by the court;
  3. stay away from your home or workplace; and
  4. pay you back for any money that you lost because of the harassment, such as:
  • loss of earnings from work;
  • medical expenses;
  • damage to property;
  • the cost of replacing your locks;
  • the cost of getting an unlisted phone number; and
  • your attorney’s fees.1

Note: You can ask for numbers 1 through 3, above, whether the harasser (defendant) is an adult or a minor. You can only ask for number 4, above, if the harasser is an adult.1

1 M.G.L.A. 258E § 3(a)

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