Restraining Orders

For the purpose of getting this protective order, “sexual assault” is defined as when the abuser commits one of the following crimes against you - however, s/he does not have to be arrested for the crime and it does not have to be reported to the police for you to file for this protective order.  His/her actions, however, must match the description of one of the crimes below – click on each crime to read its definition:

• lewd and lascivious conduct;
• lewd and lascivious conduct with a child (i.e., inappropriately touching a child under age 16 for sexual pleasure);
• sexual assault;
• aggravated sexual assault;
• use of a child in a sexual performance; or
• consenting to a sexual performance (this is when a parent, guardian, or custodian of a child allows the child to be used for a sexual performance).  (Note: To file for a protection order under this ground, it would be the child/victim filing against his/her guardian).¹

¹ VT ST 12 § 5131(5)