Restraining Orders

If you are under 18 years old, you can only file on your own for a Family Abuse Prevention Act restraining order if:

1. the abuser is over 18; and
2. the abuser is:
   • your spouse or former spouse; or
   • someone with whom you have been in a sexually intimate relationship (regardless of whether or not you ever lived together).¹

You must have experienced domestic abuse within the last 180 days to get a restraining order against the abuser. However, any time during which the abuser is in prison or lives more than 100 miles from you does not count as part of the 180-day period.²

In many states, a parent or guardian can file on behalf of a minor if the minor is a victim of abuse. However, in Oregon, an adult cannot file on behalf of a minor. The minor must meet the above requirements to qualify for a Family Abuse Prevention Act restraining order. If you do not satisfy the above requirements, speak to a local domestic violence organization for more information about how you may be able to plan for your safety. You can find one near you on our Oregon Advocates and Shelters page.

¹ O.R.S § 107.726
² O.R.S § 107.710(6)