Protection From Abuse (PFA) Orders

Pennsylvania's Protection From Abuse Act (23 Pa.C.S. §§ 6101–6122) provides emergency protection for victims of domestic violence, sexual violence, and stalking. PFA orders are powerful, fast-acting, and free to file.

Who Can File

Spouses or former spouses, persons who have lived as spouses, parents and children, current or former intimate partners, persons who share biological parenthood, and persons currently or formerly in a dating relationship. Same-sex relationships are covered.

What a PFA Order Can Do

• Order the abuser to stay away from you, your home, your workplace, and your children's school
• Evict the abuser from the shared residence (even if the abuser owns or leases the property)
• Award temporary custody of children
• Order the abuser to relinquish firearms and ammunition (mandatory under federal and state law if the order is issued after a hearing)
• Prohibit contact by any means — in person, phone, text, email, social media, or through third parties
• Order the abuser to pay temporary support and reimburse losses (medical expenses, lost earnings, property damage)

The Process

Emergency / Ex Parte Order: A judge reviews your petition (usually the same day you file it or the next business day) and can issue a temporary PFA order without the abuser being present. This temporary order is effective immediately and lasts until the full hearing.

Full Hearing: Within 10 business days, the court holds a hearing where both parties can present evidence and testimony. If the court finds abuse occurred, it enters a final PFA order lasting up to 36 months (3 years). The order can be extended.

Violation: Violating a PFA order is a criminal offense — indirect criminal contempt, punishable by up to 6 months in jail and a $1,000 fine for a first offense. Subsequent violations carry increased penalties.

Firearms Relinquishment

Under both federal law (18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(8)) and Pennsylvania law, a person subject to a final PFA order is prohibited from possessing firearms. The respondent must surrender all firearms and ammunition within 24 hours of the order being served. Failure to comply is a separate criminal offense.

PFA and Custody

A PFA order can award temporary custody, but it does not permanently resolve custody. A separate custody action must be filed in the Family Court division. However, the existence of a PFA order and the underlying allegations of abuse will be considered by the court in making custody determinations — 23 Pa.C.S. § 5328(a)(2) specifically requires the court to consider any history of abuse.

Practical Advice

Document everything: Photographs of injuries, screenshots of threatening messages, police reports, medical records. The more evidence you have, the stronger your case at the hearing.

Safety planning: If you're in immediate danger, call 911. The Bucks County Domestic Violence hotline is available 24/7: A Woman's Place at 1-800-220-8116. They provide emergency shelter, legal advocacy, and counseling.

Filing is free: There is no filing fee for a PFA petition. The court provides the forms. You don't need a lawyer to file, but having one significantly increases your chances of obtaining a final order at the hearing.