Even if they get over their fear of their abuser seeking revenge and decide to leave the abuser, a lot of abused people decide not to file for a Protection From Abuse Order because of the costs and time required. However, it must be said that if you have even a little fear that your abuser will later decide to hurt you in some way, the time needed to get a PFA is not wasted. This page outlines the steps necessary to obtaining a PFA. Please check with your local courthouse for more details about the procedure.
     1. File a petition, the formal request form, for the PFA. These forms are available from your county and can be obtained from that county's courthouse or, possibly, downloaded from their website. If you go to the courthouse, you'll need to talk to the person at the Prothonotary Office. If there is an immediate danger of abuse and the courthouse is not open, the local police will be able to locate a judge who can grant you a temporary restraining order.
     2. Fill out all of the forms provided to you at the courthouse. Ensure the information is accurate, true, and as detailed as possible. You can fill out these forms while at the courthouse or take them home and return them at a later date. The forms may have to be signed in front of a law enforcement officer, an official at the courthouse, or a notary. Wait to sign the completed form until you return it to the courthouse.
     3. Most often, there will be some charges for filing the paperwork and the later court hearing. Most officials and judges will wait until after the hearing to collect the fees. If the Protection From Abuse Order is granted, the abuser will most often have to pay the fees.
     4. A judge reviews the petition and other forms. If he (she) sees evidence of prior abuse and/or the danger of further abuse, you may be granted a Temporary Order of Protection. This order is in effect until the hearing which the judge will schedule. Usually this hearing will be within ten days of the Temporary Order being granted. At this time, there may be other forms you have to complete.
     5. You and you abuser will testify in front of a judge. This is the time to present your evidence (see the "Collect Information" page) and have your witnesses give their statements. The judge will then decide whether or not to grant the PFA. If he (she) does, be sure to listen to all of the instructions concerning that document and the orders given to you and your abuser. Make sure all of your questions are answered before leaving.

     Once the hearing is completed and you have your PFA, don't be afraid to report your abuser if he (she) violates that order. Members of your local police department or other law enforcement agencies are there to enforce the orders laid out by the judge. The abuser can go to jail for violating the judges orders, but you have to remember you're also responsible for following those orders. If you violate the order in any way, the order can be revoked.