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1. What is the legal definition of abuse?

Chapter 209A, the Massachusetts Abuse Prevention Act, defines abuse as the occurrence of one or more of the following between family or household members:

• Attempting to cause or causing physical harm
• Placing another in fear of imminent serious physical harm
• Causing another to engage involuntarily in sexual relations by force, threat, or duress

2. What is an Abuse Prevention Order?

An Abuse Prevention Order, called a 209A Order, or a Protective Order, or a Restraining order, is a civil court order intended to provide protection from physical or sexual harm caused by force or threat of harm from a family or household member.

3. Who is a family or household member?

Chapter 209A, the Massachusetts Abuse Prevention Act, defines family or household members as persons who:

• Are or were married to one another
• Are or were residing together in the same household
• Are or were related by blood or marriage
• Having a child in common regardless of whether they have ever married or lived together
• Or are or have been in a substantive dating or engagement relationship, which shall be adjudged by district, probate or Boston municipal courts, by considering the following factors: the length of time of the relationship; the type of relationship; the frequency of interaction between the parties; and if the relationship has been terminated by either person, and the length of time elapsed since the termination of the relationship