In Kentucky, you can get a protective order only if you have a qualifying relationship with the person you want it against. Conflicts with neighbors or co-workers do not qualify. Qualifying relationships include:

• Family members: such as spouses, former spouses, parents, children, stepchildren, grandparents, grandchildren, or anyone living with a child who is the victim.

• Unmarried couples: those who have children together, have lived together, or currently live together.

• Individuals in a dating relationship with a romantic or intimate nature.

• Victims of stalking or sexual assault.

You can seek protection for yourself, your children, and others who may need it.

If you're an adult and think a child needs protection, you can file for them.

If you're under 18, an adult can file a petition for you.

The court can issue protective orders for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, or sexual assault to prevent future abuse. Criminal cases are prosecuted by the county attorney for past violence or abuse.

To qualify for an EPO or IPO, the respondent must have:

• Physically hurt or attacked you.

• Strangled you.

• Sexually abused or assaulted you.

• Threatened to hurt or attack you.

• Stalked you.

• Acted in a way that made you feel fear of immediate physical harm, serious injury, sexual abuse, strangulation, or assault.

An EPO/TIPO is effective until the court hearing, usually within 14 days. If the respondent isn't served, the order continues until service (up to six months) or withdrawal by the court. You must attend the hearing, as only a judge can reschedule or modify the order. The court may excuse you from future appearances until the respondent is served. If unserved for six months, you will get a notice at your last address to renew the petition.

This might be the only hearing in this case, so bring any witnesses and documents that support your claims, like police reports, photos, and medical records. The circuit court clerk can provide subpoena forms for witnesses. All this information will become part of the court record.

During a full hearing, the court listens to you, the respondent, and any witnesses. The court can either dismiss the case or issue a domestic violence order (DVO) or interpersonal protective order (IPO) with the following conditions:

• The respondent must not contact you or others unless allowed by the judge.

• The respondent must stay away from certain places like your home, school, or workplace (this must be included in the protective order request). Note that any addresses provided are not confidential and can be seen by the respondent.

• The respondent must not hurt or threaten you.

• The respondent must not damage or get rid of your property.

• The respondent must leave your home.

• Temporary custody of children may be granted.

• Any additional measures needed to prevent future violence can be included.

A protective order is valid in any county in Kentucky. Other states can enforce it, but you need to register it in any state where you live or stay for a long time.

If the person violates the protective order, you can:

• Call the police, who might arrest them.

• Return to the court that issued the order to ask for contempt charges.

• Contact the county attorney’s office to find out if they can be charged with a crime.