What Is A D.V. Protective Order? 

You can get a Domestic Violence Protective Order (also Called a DVPO) if you and/or your children have suffered acts of domestic violence from an abuser with whom you have a “personal relationship”. Those types include:  

• Current or former spouse

• Persons of the opposite sex who live or have lived together

• Person with whom you have a child or children

• Persons related as parent and child or grandparent and grandchild

• Current or former household members (including roommates)

• Persons of the opposite sex that are or have been in a dating relationship

The North Carolina General Statute (50b)
defines domestic violence as follows:

A. Domestic violence means the commission of one or more of the following acts upon an aggrieved party by the above-mentioned persons:

• Attempting to cause bodily injury, or intentionally causing bodily injury; or

• Placing the aggrieved party in fear of imminent serious bodily injury by the threat of force.

B. Not withstanding the provisions of subsection (A) above, domestic violence also means the commission of one or more of the following acts upon a minor residing with- in the custody of the aggrieved party by the above-mentioned persons:

• Attempting to cause bodily injury, or intentionally causing bodily injury;

• Placing the minor in fear of imminent serious bodily injury by the threat of force; or committing any act defined in G.S. 14-27.2 through 14-27.7.

According to North Carolina law, domestic violence may involve hitting, kicking, choking, unwanted touching, and/or threats of physical harm by a spouse, intimate partner, or member of your household. Law enforcement can arrest a batterer or victims can go to their county’s magistrate and ask for a warrant for the batterer’s arrest.