WomensLaw serves and supports all survivors, no matter their sex or gender.

Legal Information: Massachusetts

Restraining Orders

View all
Laws current as of November 14, 2024

What happens if an abuser violates a harassment prevention order?

You can call 911 to report a violation to the police if the harasser violates the harassment prevention order. Each harassment prevention order issued must contain the following statement “VIOLATION OF THIS ORDER IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.” Any violation of a harassment prevention order can be punishable by a fine of up to $5,000, by imprisonment for up to 2 ½ years, or both.

You can also file a contempt petition in the civil court that issued the order. The judge can hold the harasser in “civil contempt” and punish the harasser.1

1 M.G.L.A. 258E § 9

Legal Information

© 2008–2024 WomensLaw.org is a project of the National Network to End Domestic Violence, Inc. All rights reserved. This website is funded in part through a grant from the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. Neither the U.S. Department of Justice nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse, this website (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided). NNEDV is a 501©(3) non-profit organization; EIN 52-1973408.