Dating violence can include physical harm, threats, intimidation, stalking, harassment, sexual coercion, or other behavior that creates fear and control in a dating or intimate relationship. You do not have to be married or live with the person to seek help.

Examples can include repeated unwanted contact, threats to harm you, showing up at your home or work, forcing sexual contact, or escalating behavior that makes you fear for your safety.

A protective order is a court order designed to reduce risk and create enforceable boundaries. Depending on the facts, it may require the other person to stop contacting you, stay away from certain places, and stop harassment through phone or social media.

A protective order is more than a request. It is a court directive. If the order is violated, law enforcement may be able to respond more quickly because there is a documented court order in place.

Some dating violence conduct can also be criminal, such as assault, sexual assault, stalking, harassment, property damage, and certain threats. A criminal case is separate from a protective order and typically involves law enforcement investigation and a prosecutor decision about charges.

Even if you do not want a criminal case, reporting can create documentation. If the behavior escalates later, that record may matter.

Legal steps can help, but safety planning often makes legal protection more effective. Consider these practical steps:

• Document key incidents. Save dates, times, screenshots, photos of injuries or damage, and names of witnesses.
• Secure digital access. Update passwords, turn on two factor authentication, and review location sharing and device access.
• Build a support plan. Tell trusted people what is happening and how to help if you need support quickly.
• Plan daily logistics. Adjust routines and routes when possible and identify safer places to go if needed.
• Use local resources. Advocates can help with planning, court support, and connecting to services.

Dating violence can affect your daily life in workplaces, schools, and shared community spaces. Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to seek practical safety accommodations and use court orders to help enforce boundaries around places you must go.

If you share a friend group, gym, religious community, or events, it may help to identify safer alternatives and communicate boundaries to organizers, especially if you fear being approached or followed.

• Waiting for perfect proof. Start documenting now. Patterns often matter.
• Ignoring digital harassment. Save evidence and tighten privacy settings.
• Trying to handle it alone. Advocates and counsel can help plan safer timing and steps.
• Skipping immediate safety planning. If risk is high, prioritize safe housing and emergency planning first.