Protection From Abuse (PFA)

A protection from abuse order, (PFA), may be entered by a Pennsylvania court if there has been actual or threatened physical abuse, including the placing of another in reasonable fear of bodily injury, by one party against any family or household member and/or current or former sexual or intimate partner, including spouses. A PFA order can be for any duration, up to three years. A person may be excluded from their home if a PFA order is entered.

 

A person in violation of a PFA order could be subject to criminal sanctions, including incarceration. PFA orders can be of varying lengths and varying terms.

 

A PFA order may also encompass other areas of family law on a temporary basis such as provisions which relate to child custody and support matters.