Restraining Orders

Amongst other protections, the judge can order the abuser to:

• leave the home that they share with the victim, regardless of any legal right to the home;
• stop disturbing, harassing, following, intimidating, or threatening the victim, or interfering in any other way with their legal rights;
• not to come near or enter the same place where the victim is, if the judge believes that this limitation is necessary to prevent the abuser from bothering, intimidating, threatening, or disturbing the peace of the victim or interfering with them in any other way;
• to pay support to the victim, if there is a legal obligation to do so;
• not to dispose of the petitioner’s assets; however, if the abuser (respondent) is administering the victim’s business, they will need to provide a monthly report to the court;
• pay financial compensation for the damages that were caused by the abuse or neglect, which may include, but are not limited to, moving expenses, expenses for repairs to property, or for legal, medical, psychiatric, or psychological expenses, counseling, housing, shelter, assistive technology, or any other similar expenses; or
• any other measures necessary for the victim’s safety.¹

The judge can also order the abuser to reimburse the government for any public funds used to transport the victim to their home or care facility due to failure to pick them up after medical treatment.¹

¹ 8 L.P.R.A § 1519