Protection from Abuse (PFA)

1. What is a Protection from Abuse (PFA) Order?
2. Who Can Get a PFA?
3. How do I get a PFA?
4. Do I Need a Lawyer?
5. What May Be Included in the PFA?
6. What if the Batterer Violates the PFA?
7. How Long May a PFA last?

1. What is a Protection from Abuse (PFA) Order?
   It is a special restraining order given by the court. It is available to victims of domestic and sexual violence to prevent further abuse.
   
2. Who Can Get a PFA?
   Anyone battered or threatened by a family member, former family member, or others who are dating or have dated.
   
3. How do I get a PFA?
   You can apply for a PFA at the PFA office on the 4 th floor of the County Services Center at 6 th & Court Streets in Reading. You will receive an application asking for you for information such as the dates of abuse, threats made, etc. The PFA office staff will help you through the remainder of the process. The PFA office phone number is (610)478-6418 and is open from 8am – 2pm, Monday – Friday. After these hours or on weekends, you can get an emergency PFA from a district justice. Contact Reading District Court at (610)478-6456 or call your local police department for information about where and when a district justice is open to hear your emergency PFA request.
   
4. Do I Need a Lawyer?
   No. However, Berks Women in Crisis has attorneys who can represent you free of charge. Getting assistance from a lawyer may be a good idea if a formal hearing is held, especially if the batterer will have a lawyer.
   
5. What May Be Included in the PFA?
   • Direct the batterer to stop threatening or hurting you and/or your children;
   • Evict the batterer from the place you are living;
   • Give you temporary custody of your children’
   • Allow only supervised visitation of the children with the batterer;
   • Order the batterer to give all weapons used or threatened to be used in the abuse to the sheriff, and stop the batterer from getting any other weapons;
   • Stop the batterer from having contact with you and/or your children;
   • Direct the batterer to pay you for losses caused by the abuse including: medical, dental, and moving expenses; counseling costs; loss of wages or support; repair/replacement costs for damaged property; and other expenses;
   • Order the batterer to pay support for you and your children, including payments toward health expenses and rent/mortgage payments.
   
   
6. What if the Batterer Violates the PFA?
   Call the police. The police can arrest the batterer.
   
7. How Long May a PFA last?
   The order can last for up to 18 months.
   

REMEMBER: If you don’t feel safe, be prepared to leave home. Take clothing, keys, and important papers.