In Pennsylvania, a court order directing an abuser to stay away from the victim is called a Protection from Abuse order (PFA). Other states have similar orders, though they may have different names. Some states call them Temporary Restraining Orders (TRO's) or Family Protection Orders (FPO's).
In Pennsylvania, a PFA can be directed against a family or household member, a current or former spouse, or a current or former intimate partner, including a same-gender partner.
If you are considering requesting a PFA from the court, we suggest you first talk it over with a counselor from a domestic violence agency. The counselor can help you look at what might happen as a result of filing your PFA petition. Sometimes there are unexpected, and undesired, consequences. A PFA is not always the most effective, or the safest option.