11. Protective Order Violations

If the Respondent violates the protective order (emergency or permanent), instruct the client to:

1. Call 911 immediately.
2. When the police arrive, obtain the officer’s name and the event number (so that we can get a copy of the report).
3. Seek medical attention if necessary.
4. Photograph all injuries.
5. Record all contact with the abuser in a journal.

Any Respondent who violates an emergency protective order or a protective order is in contempt of court and commits the crime of invasion of privacy under IC 35-46-1-15.1. See the statutes Appendix B. The client should be referred to the prosecutor’s office to file a complaint so that the invasion of privacy charge can be filed. Alternatively, POP may seek contempt charges against the Respondent directly from the judge. This remedy is preferable in some cases because of the lower burden of proof and because the judge may act more quickly than the prosecutor’s office.