Obtaining a Protective Order

• You can file for a protective order at the Knoxville Family Justice Center or at the 4th Circuit Court in the City-County Building.
• Always keep your protective order with you.
• If your abuser violates the protective order, call the police to report the violation. If you are working with an attorney and/or an advocate, let them know about the violation. Advise the Court of the violation. You can get assistance handling the violation at the Knoxville Family Justice Center.
• Plan ways to stay safe until the police respond.
• Inform family members, friends, co-workers and neighbors that you have a protective order in effect.
• Document all violent and threatening incidents with dates, times and witnesses of the events listed. Keep all voice mail/email and text messages. Take them to law enforcement, your DV advocate and/or attorney to record as evidence of violations of the protective order.
• File a criminal complaint. Your abuser can be charged with a violation of the protective order as well as any crimes committed during the violation. Your DV advocate can help you with this.