Protective orders
In this section:
There are different types of protective orders that can help protect you from further stalking or harassment. Most are issued by the police or courts, but you can apply for a non-molestation order yourself.
Protective orders the police or courts can issue
Stalking protection order
A stalking protection order can be used to protect anyone who's been a victim of stalking.
The order can prohibit the stalker from doing certain things, including:
- going to locations where you live or visit often
- contacting you in any way, including by phone, post, email, text message or social media
- recording images of you
- referring to you on social media either directly or indirectly
The order can also require the stalker to do certain things, including:
- have a mental health assessment
- attend a drugs and alcohol programme
- sign on at a police station
The order lasts for a minimum of two years.
Breaching (or breaking) a protection order, without a good reason, is a criminal offence.
If you suspect the stalker or harasser has breached an order, tell the officer who’s dealing with your case.
Other orders that can help protect you
There are other ways that the police or courts can help protect you from further stalking or harassment.
These include:
- restraining order
- criminal behaviour order
- domestic violence protection order
Protective orders you can apply for yourself
Non-molestation order
If you’re a victim of domestic abuse and the person who is currently stalking or harassing you is an ex-partner, you can apply for a non-molestation order yourself.
The current stalking or harassing will still be regarded as domestic abuse by the police.
The order can prohibit the abuser from doing things like:
- using physical violence or threatening you with physical violence
- intimidating, harassing or pestering you
- communicating with you
Find out more and how you can apply.
The order usually lasts for between six and 12 months.
Breaching (or breaking) a non-molestation order, without a good reason, is a criminal offence.
If you suspect the stalker has breached an order and further stalking or harassment has taken place, you can report it to us.