If you are in immediate danger, call 911. Ask the responding officer to issue an Emergency Protective Order. The emergency protective order starts immediately and can last a week.

If you want protection for more than a week, you can ask your local family court to issue a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO). If the restraining order is granted, it typically requires the abuser to stay at least 100 yards away from you, and have no contact with you, including no email or telephone contact.

If you would like to obtain a temporary restraining order, you can find the forms online at the California Courts website, click here. If you need help filling out the forms, the Los Angeles Superior Court has a domestic violence clinic that can show you how to fill the forms that you will need and help you prepare for Court. No appointment is necessary. For hours and locations of the domestic violence clinic, click here.

For a referral to a local domestic violence or legal assistance program, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at -800-799-7233 or visit www.ndvh.org. It is free and private. They can help you in 100 languages. You can visit California Partnership to End Domestic Violence at www.cpedv.org and California Coalition Against Sexual Assault at www.calcasa.org for more information and resources.

Need more help?
The California Courts Online Self-Help Center has information about restraining orders that can help you, click here. To read information sheets about Domestic Violence Restraining Orders in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese, click here.