Domestic Violence

Protection from Abuse (PFA)

If you are the victim of domestic violence, you have the right to go to court and file a petition requesting an order for protection from domestic abuse pursuant to the Protection From Abuse Act (23 Pa.C.S. Ch. 61) which you could include the following:

An order restraining the abuser from further acts of abuse.
An order directing the abuser to leave your house.
An order preventing the abuser from entering your residence, school, business, or place of employment.
An order awarding you or the other parent temporary custody of or temporary visitation with your child or children.
An order directing the abuser to pay support to you and the minor children if the abuser has a legal obligation to do so.

how to apply for a Pfa

To obtain a Protection From Abuse Order during regular business hours, please visit the Victim/Witness Office on the 7th Floor of the Dauphin County Human Services Building at 25 S. Front Street, Harrisburg PA. Please arrive by 9:30AM in order to have all paperwork completed in time for a Dauphin County Judge to provide a hearing and decision that same day. If you arrive after 9:30AM, you may have to return for your hearing the following business day. Please call 717-780-7077 with any questions or for directions to our parking garage.

Learn more about filing a protection order by watching the videos below.

Emergency Protection Orders

An Emergency Protection Order is available to you through the Dauphin County Magisterial District Justice serving as Night Court Judge in the Dauphin County Judicial Center.

To obtain an Emergency Protection Order, contact the YWCA at 717-238-7273. Emergency Orders are ONLY available when the Dauphin County Court is not in session, and will only remain valid until the Dauphin County Court opens the business day after it is granted.

If you are granted an Emergency Protection Order, contact the Protection From Abuse office at (717) 780-7077 as soon as possible for information regarding your next court appearance. This will ensure your order remains in effect and does not expire.