Restraining Orders

Here are some things you may want to consider doing. However, you will have to evaluate each one to see if it works for your situation.

• Review the order before you leave the courthouse.
• If something is wrong or missing, ask the clerk to correct the order before you leave.
• Make several copies of the restraining order as soon as possible.
• Keep a copy of the order with you at all times. Inform your employer, domestic violence advocate, family members, and/or your closest friends that you have a restraining order in effect.
• Leave copies of the order at your work place, at your home, at the children’s school or daycare, in your car, with a sympathetic neighbor, and so on.
• Give a copy to the security guard or person at the front desk where you live and/or work.
• Give a copy of the order to anyone who is named in and protected by the order.
• You may wish to consider changing your locks (if permitted by law) and your phone number, as well as taking other security precautions.

It is important to recognize that a restraining order has limits.  You have the right to report every violation to the police or the court.  You may also wish to make a safety plan.  People can do a number of things to increase their safety during violent incidents, when preparing to leave an abusive relationship, and when they are at home, work, and school.  Many abusers obey restraining orders, but some do not and it is important to build on the things you have already been doing to keep yourself safe.  Click on the following link for suggestions on Safety Planning.

Also, advocates at local domestic violence organizations may be able to assist you in designing a safety plan and can provide other forms of support.  To find an advocate in your area please visit the VI Advocates and Shelters page.

Violating a temporary restraining order or permanent restraining order can be against the law.¹ There are two ways to get help if the abuser violates the restraining order.

1. Through the police or sheriff: If the defendant violates the restraining order, you can call 911 immediately. In some cases, the defendant can be arrested right away. Tell the officers you have a restraining order, and the defendant is violating it. If the defendant is arrested, then the district attorney’s office can prosecute the abuser because it can be a crime to violate a restraining order.

2. Through the civil court system: You may also file for civil contempt when the abuser violates the order. The abuser can be in civil contempt and punished by the judge in some way if s/he does anything that your restraining order prohibits him/her from doing. To file for civil contempt, go to the clerk's office and ask for the forms to file for contempt of court for violation of a restraining order.

For more information about contempt, including the difference between criminal contempt and civil contempt, go to our general Domestic Violence Restraining Orders page.

¹ 16 V.I.C. § 97(e)

If you move from the U.S. Virgin Islands to another U.S. territory or state (or vice versa), your permanent restraining order can be enforced even if you move to another territory or to the United States.  If you move, your order must be given "full faith and credit" in any other state, territorial or tribal court,¹ which means that your order will be good wherever you go.

Note: For information on enforcing a military protective order (MPO) off the military installation, or enforcing a civil protection order (CPO) on a military installation, please see our Military Protective Orders page.

¹ 18 U.S.C §§ 2265, 2266