{"id":373964,"date":"2016-03-31T21:35:35","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:35:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/massachusetts-law\/massachusetts-domestic-violence-abuse-prevention-orders.html"},"modified":"2026-02-09T09:15:55","modified_gmt":"2026-02-09T14:15:55","slug":"massachusetts-domestic-violence-abuse-prevention-orders","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/massachusetts-law\/massachusetts-domestic-violence-abuse-prevention-orders.html","title":{"rendered":"Massachusetts Domestic Violence Abuse Prevention Orders"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Massachusetts Domestic Violence Abuse Prevention Orders<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Kit Yona, M.A.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Catherine Hodder, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Massachusetts<\/span> domestic violence<\/span> abuse prevention orders<\/span>, often called 209A orders<\/span>, are designed to protect individuals from physical or sexual harm by family or household members<\/span>. These legal safeguards are available to spouses, blood relatives, co-parents, or those in substantive dating relationships<\/span> facing violence or coercive control. By ordering an abuser to refrain from contact, vacate a residence, or surrender firearms, the court provides immediate safety for victims and their children.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Note:<\/i><\/b> Any person in an emergency situation requiring immediate intervention should call 911 for assistance.<\/i><\/p>\n

Living with domestic violence<\/span> is a horror for victims. At times, it can seem like there’s no escape from the vicious and often violent cycle of domestic abuse<\/a>. The Commonwealth<\/span> of Massachusetts<\/span> understands their plight and has safeguards and protections built into state laws. This includes restraining orders<\/span>, known as abuse prevention orders<\/span><\/a> (APO) in Massachusetts<\/span>.<\/p>\n

This article offers a focused examination of the Massachusetts<\/span> abuse prevention orders<\/span> available to victims of <\/span>domestic violence<\/span>. FindLaw’s Massachusetts<\/span> Protective Orders<\/span> Laws<\/a> examines all orders of protection in the Bay State. A broad overview of the statutes, protections, and punishments associated with family abuse is available in FindLaw’s Massachusetts<\/span> Domestic Violence<\/span> Laws<\/a> article.<\/p>\n

Massachusetts<\/span> Domestic Violence<\/span> Abuse Prevention Orders<\/span>: Who Are They For?<\/h2>\n

For a crime to be considered domestic violence<\/span> in Massachusetts<\/span>, it’s required to occur between a specific subset of people. Those eligible are:<\/p>\n