Restraining Orders

You could qualify for an order of protection due to domestic violence if the abuser has committed domestic violence, as defined by law, and the abuser is a family or household member, which means:

• a spouse/ ex-spouse;
• someone you live/d with;
• anyone related to you by blood or marriage;
• someone you are dating or have dated;
• someone who you have a child in common with (even if you never lived together and never married).¹

If the person abusing you does not fall into one of these categories, you may be able to get an order of protection against him/her if s/he is stalking you or has sexually assaulted you. For an order of protection due to stalking or sexual assault, you can have any relationship with the offender.²

Note: The order of protection can be issued in a Missouri court even if you are in Missouri on a temporary basis as long as the domestic violence has occurred, has been attempted, or has been threatened within the state of Missouri. If there was additional domestic violence that happened outside of Missouri, you can include these incidents as a way to demonstrate your need for protection.³

¹ MO ST § 455.010(7)
² MO ST § 455.010(12)
³ MO ST § 455.032