Understanding Pennsylvania Protection Orders: A Guide to PFAs, SVPOs, and PFIs

author by John Pike on Jan. 24, 2025

Criminal Civil & Human Rights 

Summary: When facing abuse, harassment, or intimidation, Pennsylvania offers several legal protections to ensure safety and peace of mind. Whether you’re seeking to shield yourself or a loved one from harm, understanding the types of protection orders available is crucial. Here’s an overview of the key protection orders in Pennsylvania:

What is a Protection From Abuse (PFA) Order?

A Protection From Abuse Order (PFA) is a court-issued directive designed to protect individuals from abuse for up to three years. This order can provide relief such as:

Prohibiting the abuser from contacting you or your children.

Granting temporary custody or support.

Evicting the abuser from a shared residence.

Who can request a PFA?

Individuals aged 18 or older.

Teens and children, accompanied by a parent, guardian, or an adult household member.

The PFA is particularly effective in cases involving current or former intimate partners, family members, or household members.

What is a Sexual Violence Protection Order (SVPO)?

A Sexual Violence Protection Order (SVPO) is specifically for victims of sexual violence who are at risk of further harm or intimidation, regardless of whether criminal charges have been filed against the perpetrator.

Key distinctions of an SVPO:

No prior relationship is required: Unlike PFAs, the victim and abuser do not need to have a family or household connection.

It provides legal protection against ongoing intimidation or abuse by the perpetrator.

This order is essential for individuals who need immediate protection after incidents of sexual violence.

What is a Protection From Intimidation (PFI) Order?

A Protection From Intimidation Order (PFI) is tailored for situations involving harassment or stalking where:

The victim is under 18 years old, and

The perpetrator is over 18 years old.

PFIs are not applicable:

In cases involving two minors, two adults, or a minor harassing an adult.

When the victim and perpetrator have a family, household, or intimate relationship.

PFIs must be filed by an adult (such as a parent, guardian, or household member) on behalf of the minor victim.

How These Orders Protect You

Each of these protection orders serves to establish legal boundaries and deter further abuse or intimidation. Violating these orders can result in serious legal consequences for the perpetrator, including arrest and additional charges.

Seeking Help and Filing a Protection Order

If you or someone you know needs a protection order in Pennsylvania, it’s vital to act quickly. Reach out to a qualified attorney or your local domestic violence resource center to guide you through the filing process and ensure your safety.

Taking the first step toward protection is empowering. These legal measures exist to help you reclaim control and peace of mind.

Legal Articles Additional Disclaimer

Lawyer.com is not a law firm and does not offer legal advice. Content posted on Lawyer.com is the sole responsibility of the person from whom such content originated and is not reviewed or commented on by Lawyer.com. The application of law to any set of facts is a highly specialized skill, practiced by lawyers and often dependent on jurisdiction. Content on the site of a legal nature may or may not be accurate for a particular state or jurisdiction and may largely depend on specific circumstances surrounding individual cases, which may or may not be consistent with your circumstances or may no longer be up-to-date to the extent that laws have changed since posting. Legal articles therefore are for review as general research and for use in helping to gauge a lawyer's expertise on a matter. If you are seeking specific legal advice, Lawyer.com recommends that you contact a lawyer to review your specific issues. See Lawyer.com's full Terms of Use for more information.

© 2025 LAWYER.COM INC.

Use of this website constitutes acceptance of Lawyer.com’s Terms of Use, Email, Phone, & Text Message and Privacy Policies.