what is a pfa

A PFA (Protection From Abuse) is a court order that provides legal protection for a person who is experiencing abuse or harassment from another person. It is a civil proceeding that prohibits one party (the defendant) from having contact with, harassing, abusing, stalking, or communicating with the other party (the plaintiff) . A PFA order is issued and signed by a Court of Common Pleas Judge and is similar to what other states have such as a restraining order. However, a PFA is limited since it can only be filed against an abuser who has a domestic relationship with the victim. A PFA order can provide legal protection for a person in or just out of an abusive relationship and can be of great help to the victim and their family if they need a quick solution for abuse that they are experiencing. If the abuser violates the PFA order in any way, he or she can be charged with violating the order, which is a crime.