Local Resource: Filing a Protection Order
“Harassment” is defined by Indiana law (Ind. Code § 34-6-2-51.5) as: “Conduct directed toward a victim that includes but is not limited to repeated or continuing impermissible contact that would cause a reasonable person to suffer emotional distress and that actually causes the victim to suffer emotional distress. Harassment does not include statutorily or constitutionally protected activity, such as lawful picketing pursuant to labor disputes or lawful employer-related activities pursuant to labor disputes.”
“Impermissible contact” includes (but is not limited to):
(1)Following or pursuing the victim;
(2)Communicating with the victim in person, in writing, by telephone, by telegraph, or through electronic means;
(3)Posting on social media, if the post:
(A) is directed to the victim; or
refers to the victim, directly or indirectly
“Impermissible contact” includes (but is not limited to):
(1)Following or pursuing the victim;
(2)Communicating with the victim in person, in writing, by telephone, by telegraph, or through electronic means;
(3)Posting on social media, if the post:
(A) is directed to the victim; or
refers to the victim, directly or indirectly
Where Can I Begin?
Maintain a harassment incident and behavior log.
If you are a victim of Harassment, it can be critical to maintain a log of incidents and behavior, especially if you choose to engage with the criminal or civil justice systems. Recording this information will help to document the behavior for protection order applications, or criminal prosecution. It can also help preserve your memory of individual incidents about which you might later report or testify.
If you are a victim of Harassment, it can be critical to maintain a log of incidents and behavior, especially if you choose to engage with the criminal or civil justice systems. Recording this information will help to document the behavior for protection order applications, or criminal prosecution. It can also help preserve your memory of individual incidents about which you might later report or testify.
What Should I Document?
The harassment log should be used to record and document all harassment related behavior, including harassing phone calls, text messages, letters, e-mail messages, online or social media interactions, acts of vandalism, and threats communicated through third parties. When reporting the incidents to law enforcement, always write down the officer's name or badge number for your own records. Even if the officers do not make an arrest, you can ask to make a written report and request a copy for your records.
Keep the log in a safe place and tell only someone you trust where you keep your log.
Important note: Since this information could potentially be introduced as evidence or inadvertently shared with the harasser at a future time, do not include any information that you do not want the offender to read.
Keep the log in a safe place and tell only someone you trust where you keep your log.
Important note: Since this information could potentially be introduced as evidence or inadvertently shared with the harasser at a future time, do not include any information that you do not want the offender to read.
How Do I File?
Documenting harassing behavior can be a difficult and emotionally exhausting task. You may process an application on your own, or request to speak with an advocate who can provide support, and information about the options available to you.
If the perpetrator is a current or past significant other you may contact the Council on Domestic Abuse to request assistance with the protection order as they have additional resources to offer. Their legal advocates can be reached at 812-238-9577.
Regarding all other affiliations such as a family member, acquaintance, or stranger, we encourage you to contact us at 812-462-3319, or visit at 33 South Third Street, Terre Haute, IN 47807.
*Applications are located within our office and county court offices.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: In order to file a case, you must have the Respondent’s (perpetrator's) correct name. In order to assist law enforcement in enforcing the Order for Protection you should have the Respondent’s date of birth and/or Social Security number and current address. The Respondent’s current address may also be necessary for the Court to grant certain forms of other relief. All protection orders filed under Harassment require a hearing within 30 days.
If the perpetrator is a current or past significant other you may contact the Council on Domestic Abuse to request assistance with the protection order as they have additional resources to offer. Their legal advocates can be reached at 812-238-9577.
Regarding all other affiliations such as a family member, acquaintance, or stranger, we encourage you to contact us at 812-462-3319, or visit at 33 South Third Street, Terre Haute, IN 47807.
*Applications are located within our office and county court offices.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: In order to file a case, you must have the Respondent’s (perpetrator's) correct name. In order to assist law enforcement in enforcing the Order for Protection you should have the Respondent’s date of birth and/or Social Security number and current address. The Respondent’s current address may also be necessary for the Court to grant certain forms of other relief. All protection orders filed under Harassment require a hearing within 30 days.
The use of a scanner is required if you want to upload additional information, however the form can be completed without any added documentation. An advocate can e-mail a copy of qualifying incident reports to accompany the form. You may also print your form along with any documentations and an Advocate can process the form for you.
| instructions_for_adult.pdf |
| instructions_for_child.pdf |