Restraining Orders

This section defines domestic violence for the purposes of getting a civil protection order (CPO) in Washington, D.C.

You are eligible to file for a CPO against:

1. a family member, household member, or intimate partner if s/he commits:
   • any crime against you; or
   • cruelty to animals against an animal that belongs to you; or
2. a person regardless of your relationship with him/her if s/he commits:
   • a “sexual assault” crime as defined by D.C. law;
   • trafficking in labor or commercial sex; or
   • sex trafficking of children.¹

Note: Crimes committed by a family member, household member, or intimate partner are called “intrafamily offenses.” You can read the definitions of family member, household member, and intimate partner in Who can get a civil protection order? You can read the definitions of some common crimes on our Crimes page.

¹ D.C. Code § 16-1003(a)