Protection Order Against Family Violence

Domestic violence is a truly incurable disease. Despite attempts to eradicate the phenomenon, it continues to rear its head. During this difficult period, when we are witnessing an increase in the number of domestic violence cases, it is especially important to be aware of the legal tools that are available against this problem. It is especially important to be aware of the possibility to receive a protection order against domestic abuse. Protection orders serve as a quick and easy initial solution against violence, threats, and harassment in the family. In the current article, a family lawyer from our firm explains about this in detail.

Our offices in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv specialize in family law. Our firm provides families and their members with help and legal assistance to best protect their rights, including in cases of family violence. The lawyers at our firm, who are also certified mediators, specialize in providing a comprehensive solution in these sensitive cases, while taking all the necessary precautions to maintain discretion and protect the privacy of our clients.

Domestic Violence – A Silent Epidemic That Refuses to Go Away

The current article was written in early 2021, when we witnessed several especially horrific cases of domestic violence. These cases made headlines in the news, and treating the phenomenon returned to the agenda. Campaigns were released in an effort to raise awareness of domestic violence and fight this widespread phenomenon, which, to this day, reaches all parts of the country. Unfortunately, although the issue is being discussed, there is not enough debate on the solutions available to family members who are exposed to violence.

We already know that fights and a threatening environment may lead to a tragic end. This means that we must act immediately in such cases, and not take the risk of anything bad happening. Many people are afraid to act on the matter, usually because they fear the possible consequences of taking the case to the authorities. Even those who summon up the courage to do so do not always know to whom to turn. For this reason, we have decided to publish this article, in which we explain in detail what tools are available to victims of family violence. We will mainly focus on the option of receiving a protection order against domestic violence, which is a quick and easy tool for dealing with this type of situation.

What Is a Protection Order?

A protection order serves as first aid against cases of domestic violence. It is issued in accordance with the Prevention of Family Violence Law. The order is intended to protect family members who are exposed to physical violence or who have real difficulty in maintaining a normal life. Importantly, the order may be issued not only in cases of physical violence; it is also intended for use against emotional violence (such as emotional manipulations), verbal violence (such as threats), and even financial violence (also called economic abuse, such as controlling a spouse or immediate family member’s access to money).

What Are the Restrictions That May Be Included in a Protection Order, and What Is Its Validity?

Among the restrictions that may be included in a protection order is, first and foremost, keeping the offender away from the victims. The protection order may contain a clause requiring the offender to stay away from the home in which the family members live, or even from the city in which they live. Additional possible restrictions are, for example, forbidding the offender from contacting the family members or stalking them. The order is valid for a period of up to three months. However, it may be extended up to six months. In special cases, in may be extended to an even longer period of time.

How Do You Request a Protection Order?

You may request the order through a dedicated form, which must be submitted to the secretariat of the Magistrate Court or Family Affairs Court. The family members may file the request themselves, or do so through a proxy. In some cases, the court is empowered to consider a request for a protection order in the presence of only one party. If the request is denied, the decision may be appealed to the district court.

Conclusion and Additional Solutions

Above we have explained about the ways to request a protection order against violence in the family, what the order may contain, and for how long the order is valid. However, there is a variety of additional solutions mentioned in the law. Besides a protection order, it is also possible to request an order to prevent stalking. A tort claim may also be filed with the Family Affairs Court. These are only some of the solutions that are available by law. The most important thing, however, is that you understand that you are not alone, and that there is whom to turn to if you need help.

Legal Assistance in Matters of Domestic Violence

For any question you may have or assistance you may need in matters of family abuse, the lawyers at our firm are available to help. We take all the required precautions to maintain discretion. At our offices in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, family lawyers who are also certified mediators assist violence victims to receive the protection to which they are entitled by law.