The Alabama Protection Order (Protection from Abuse Act) REVISED 11-2013 is a set of laws in the state of Alabama that offer protection to victims of domestic violence. This act provides a legal mechanism for victims of domestic violence to obtain an order of protection from an abuser. The order of protection is a civil court order that requires an abuser to stay away from the victim and can set other limits and restrictions on the abuser’s behavior. There are two types of protection orders available in Alabama under the Protection from Abuse Act: a temporary order and a permanent order. A temporary order is issued when a petitioner files a petition for protection from abuse with the court and the court grants a temporary order without the abuser being present. This type of order is in effect for 14 days and is designed to provide immediate protection for the petitioner. A permanent order is a longer-term order issued after a hearing with both the petitioner and the abuser present. This order can last up to one year and has more detailed restrictions than a temporary order. The Protection from Abuse Act also provides other forms of protection for victims, including the ability to file criminal charges against an abuser, the option to seek relocation assistance, and the option to petition for a no-contact order. All of these provisions are designed to help ensure that victims of domestic violence can live safely and free from harm.