Here is a brief description of Vermont laws that protect victims from abuse.
Criminal: Some abuse is a crime. If someone is physically harming you, you can call the police for help. The state may prosecute your abuser in criminal court.
Civil / non-criminal: A lot of abuse isn’t criminal. Civil (non-criminal) laws may protect you from abuse. For example, you may qualify for a court order to protect you from more abuse. The court order is called a Relief from Abuse Order. People sometimes call it an RFA, an abuse prevention order or a restraining order.
Is your abuser abusing your children? The Relief from Abuse Order can also protect your children.
Each law to protect victims has a different legal rule or “standard” for what that law counts as “abuse.” You or the State of Vermont will have to show that what your abuser did counts as “abuse” under a particular law.
Is the state prosecuting your abuser under the criminal law?
The state will have to show that what your abuser did to you was criminal. The state will initiate the case and try to prove it.
Do you want to get a civil order to protect yourself?
To get a Relief from Abuse Order, check our pages about asking for a Relief from Abuse Order. You can start the process yourself. A domestic violence group may also be able to help you.