Restraining Orders

A temporary sexual violence protective order can:

• order the respondent to stay away from you, your home, your school, your place of work, your place of worship, or any place you go to frequently;
• prohibit the respondent from communicating with you or any of your household or family members mentioned in the order;
• prohibit the respondent from threatening or committing sexual violence against you or your family or household members mentioned in the order; and
• order anything else the judge thinks is necessary for your safety and the safety of your household or family members.¹

After a hearing, whether or not the abuser comes to the hearing, the judge can:

• order all of the protections listed above; and
• order the following additional protections:
  • prohibit the respondent from purchasing, using, or possessing a weapon, such as a knife, but only if the judge decides that the use or possession of a weapon poses a serious threat of harm to you or to your household or family members;² and
  • prohibit the respondent from possessing a firearm if there has been clear and convincing evidence presented at the hearing that the use or possession of a firearm creates a serious threat of harm to you or to your household or family members.³

¹ UT ST § 78B-7-504(2)
² UT ST § 78B-7-504(3)
³ UT ST § 78B-7-504(5)