{"id":5413,"date":"2024-05-03T10:58:57","date_gmt":"2024-05-03T10:58:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.affordlaw.org\/?p=5413"},"modified":"2025-03-20T10:36:54","modified_gmt":"2025-03-20T10:36:54","slug":"harassment-prevention-law-massachusetts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/affordlaw.org\/staging\/2465\/harassment-prevention-law-massachusetts\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is the Harassment Prevention Law in Massachusetts?"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"5413\" class=\"elementor elementor-5413\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-efb4055 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"efb4055\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a376539 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a376539\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>In Massachusetts, the harassment prevention law is outlined in Chapter 258E. It allows individuals to seek a court-ordered Harassment Prevention Order (HPO), also known as a 258E order. This order can protect you from harassment, stalking, or sexual assault regardless of your relationship with the harasser.<\/p><p>To <a href=\"https:\/\/www.affordlaw.org\/qualifies-harassment-massachusetts\/\">qualify as harassment<\/a> under this law, the behavior must include three or more acts that are willful and malicious, aimed at you, intended to cause fear, intimidation, abuse, or damage to property, and actually cause such effects. Alternatively, it can be a single incident of forced or threatened sex, or a specific crime such as indecent assault and battery, rape, statutory rape, assault with intent to rape, child enticement, criminal stalking, criminal harassment, or drugging for sexual intercourse.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4ad9b30 elementor-widget elementor-widget-video\" data-id=\"4ad9b30\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;youtube_url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/youtu.be\\\/ql5on3EVH_4?rel=0&quot;,&quot;video_type&quot;:&quot;youtube&quot;,&quot;controls&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"video.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-wrapper elementor-open-inline\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-video\"><\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f5a53ec elementor-widget elementor-widget-boomdevs-toc-widget\" data-id=\"f5a53ec\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;sticky&quot;:&quot;top&quot;,&quot;sticky_on&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;mobile&quot;],&quot;sticky_offset&quot;:0,&quot;sticky_effects_offset&quot;:0,&quot;sticky_anchor_link_offset&quot;:0}\" data-widget_type=\"boomdevs-toc-widget.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t        \n            \n            <div class=\"fit_content\">\n                <div class=\"bd_toc_container\" data-fixedWidth=\"\">\n                    <div class=\"bd_toc_wrapper\" data-wrapperPadding=\"48px\">\n                        <div class=\"bd_toc_wrapper_item\">\n                            <div class=\"bd_toc_header active\" data-headerPadding=\"2px\">\n                                <div class=\"bd_toc_header_title\">\n                                    Table of Contents                                <\/div>\n                                <div class=\"bd_toc_switcher_hide_show_icon\">\n                                    <span class=\"bd_toc_arrow\"><\/span>                                <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"bd_toc_content list-type-number\">\n                                <div class=\"bd_toc_content_list \">\n                                    <div class='bd_toc_content_list_item'>    <ul>\n      <li class=\"first\">\n        <a href=\"#understanding-harassment-prevention-and-abuse-prevention-orders-in-ma\">Understanding Harassment Prevention and Abuse Prevention Orders in MA<\/a>\n      <\/li>\n      <li>\n        <a href=\"#the-court-order-process-for-harassment-prevention\">The Court Order Process for Harassment Prevention<\/a>\n      <\/li>\n      <li>\n        <a href=\"#violations-of-harassment-prevention-orders\">Violations of Harassment Prevention Orders<\/a>\n      <\/li>\n      <li>\n        <a href=\"#addressing-workplace-harassment\">Addressing Workplace Harassment<\/a>\n      <\/li>\n      <li class=\"last\">\n        <a href=\"#help-getting-a-harassment-prevention-order-in-massachusetts\">Help Getting a Harassment Prevention Order in Massachusetts<\/a>\n      <\/li>\n    <\/ul>\n<\/div>                                <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"layout_toggle_button\">\n                        <span class=\"bd_toc_arrow\"><\/span>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n\n    \t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a0b1c0a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a0b1c0a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 id='understanding-harassment-prevention-and-abuse-prevention-orders-in-ma'  id=\"boomdevs_1\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Understanding Harassment Prevention and Abuse Prevention Orders in MA<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6410193 elementor-widget elementor-widget-video\" data-id=\"6410193\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;youtube_url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/youtu.be\\\/4GrAx_nw5rk?rel=0&quot;,&quot;video_type&quot;:&quot;youtube&quot;,&quot;controls&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"video.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-wrapper elementor-open-inline\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-video\"><\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6a9a1cc elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6a9a1cc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id='massachusetts-law-of-restraining-orders'  id=\"boomdevs_2\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Massachusetts Law of Restraining Orders<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3061ccf elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3061ccf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Massachusetts courts take harassment very seriously. If you\u2019re suffering harassment at the hands of another, you may be able to get a Harassment Prevention Order. Unlike an Abuse Prevention Order, you don\u2019t need to be in any special kind of relationship with your harasser to get this Order. The procedure to get this type of Order and the protections they give you are similar to an Abuse Prevention Order.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fe7112f elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"fe7112f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id='abuse-prevention-order-a-shield-against-domestic-violence'  id=\"boomdevs_3\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Abuse Prevention Order: A Shield Against Domestic Violence<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4f178c9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4f178c9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>In cases of domestic violence, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.affordlaw.org\/abuse-prevention-law-massachusetts\/\">Abuse Prevention Orders under Massachusetts General Laws<\/a> Chapter 209A serve as a robust defense. Tailored for situations where abuse is perpetrated by a family or household members or intimate partners, these orders are crucial for your safety. A family or household member is generally defined as someone you have or are living with or someone you are related to by blood or marriage.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f2334f2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f2334f2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 id='the-court-order-process-for-harassment-prevention'  id=\"boomdevs_4\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The Court Order Process for Harassment Prevention<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c8ca944 elementor-widget elementor-widget-video\" data-id=\"c8ca944\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;youtube_url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/youtu.be\\\/BjgPvAofm5g?rel=0&quot;,&quot;video_type&quot;:&quot;youtube&quot;,&quot;controls&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"video.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-wrapper elementor-open-inline\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-video\"><\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cd878cc elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"cd878cc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id='navigating-the-legal-process-in-district-court'  id=\"boomdevs_5\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Navigating the Legal Process in District Court<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0c501e0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0c501e0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Filing for a protection order entails a clear legal process. It starts with filing an application with your local court where you describe the harassing behavior. You\u2019ll then have an ex-parte hearing. Ex-parte just means that only one party, you, in this case, will be testifying.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-71f3748 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"71f3748\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id='temporary-harassment-prevention-order'  id=\"boomdevs_6\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Temporary Harassment Prevention Order<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-101a601 elementor-widget elementor-widget-video\" data-id=\"101a601\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;youtube_url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/youtu.be\\\/tqyMJfO00DM?rel=0&quot;,&quot;video_type&quot;:&quot;youtube&quot;,&quot;controls&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"video.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-wrapper elementor-open-inline\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-video\"><\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d66cdc6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d66cdc6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>At the ex-parte hearing, if the judge is convinced you need immediate protection, they will issue a Temporary Harassment Prevention Order. That order will be valid for 10 business days. The Order will be served on your harasser by the police. If you want to extend your Order, you need to go back to court on the 10<sup>th<\/sup> day and ask for an extension at a 2-party hearing.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-243be6a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"243be6a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id='2-party-hearing'  id=\"boomdevs_7\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">2-Party Hearing<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f53a127 elementor-widget elementor-widget-video\" data-id=\"f53a127\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;youtube_url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/youtu.be\\\/635heMTFgYg?rel=0&quot;,&quot;video_type&quot;:&quot;youtube&quot;,&quot;controls&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"video.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-wrapper elementor-open-inline\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-video\"><\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-450e54d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"450e54d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>It\u2019s called a 2-party hearing because this time, both you and your harasser will have the chance to talk to the judge. Bring any evidence with you of the harassment such as:<\/p><ul><li>text messages,<\/li><li>emails,<\/li><li>voicemail messages, and<\/li><li>\u00a0<\/li><\/ul><p>Also, bring any witnesses so they can testify on your behalf.<\/p><p>If the judge feels you need the Court\u2019s protection, they will extend the Order. These Orders are usually extended for one year. If you need it extended again, you have to go back to court in one year on the day it expires and ask for a further extension.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5b4ce19 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5b4ce19\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 id='violations-of-harassment-prevention-orders'  id=\"boomdevs_8\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Violations of Harassment Prevention Orders<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-01631f1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-video\" data-id=\"01631f1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;youtube_url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/youtu.be\\\/q1rHQTp1HX8?rel=0&quot;,&quot;video_type&quot;:&quot;youtube&quot;,&quot;controls&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"video.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-wrapper elementor-open-inline\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-video\"><\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4f6b01c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4f6b01c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>A Harassment Prevention Order is a civil court order. Any violation of that Order, however, is a crime. If your harasser violates the Order, you should call the police immediately. They can now be arrested for the violation and could face jail time.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a2b45c3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a2b45c3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 id='addressing-workplace-harassment'  id=\"boomdevs_9\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Addressing Workplace Harassment<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fdf4ee3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"fdf4ee3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id='crafting-a-sexual-harassment-claim-under-massachusetts-law'  id=\"boomdevs_10\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Crafting a Sexual Harassment Claim under Massachusetts Law<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-244eef0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"244eef0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Victims of workplace harassment can file a sexual harassment claim, especially when there&#8217;s a pattern of hostile behavior. This is something separate, but related to, a Harassment Prevention Order. It\u2019s another way of providing a safe environment for you.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-242ded1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"242ded1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id='series-of-acts-that-constitute-workplace-harassment'  id=\"boomdevs_11\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Series of Acts That Constitute Workplace Harassment<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-faa3680 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"faa3680\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.affordlaw.org\/how-many-calls-harassment-massachusetts\/\">single phone call or text message might not constitute harassment<\/a>, but a series of acts could create a hostile work environment. Unlawful harassment is defined as subjecting an employee to offensive conduct based upon a certain characteristic, including gender, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, age (over 40), disability, or race.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-04b36e3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"04b36e3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 id='help-getting-a-harassment-prevention-order-in-massachusetts'  id=\"boomdevs_12\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Help Getting a Harassment Prevention Order in Massachusetts<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dfad44a elementor-widget elementor-widget-video\" data-id=\"dfad44a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;youtube_url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/youtu.be\\\/LJTbn6MDwtg?rel=0&quot;,&quot;video_type&quot;:&quot;youtube&quot;,&quot;controls&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"video.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-wrapper elementor-open-inline\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-video\"><\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f577ae0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f577ae0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>If you&#8217;d like help getting a Restraining Order without paying an expensive attorney, we can help. With our Legal Coaching we can walk you through every step to make sure you&#8217;re ready for your hearing. The first thing to do is see if you qualify for a <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.affordlaw.org\/massachusetts-restraining-orders\/\"   title=\"Massachusetts Restraining Order\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\">Massachusetts Restraining Order<\/a>. Click on the link below to see if you qualify for either type of Restraining Order.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1408007 elementor-align-center elementor-hidden-mobile elementor-tablet-align-center elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"1408007\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-xl\" href=\"https:\/\/www.affordlaw.org\/qualify-ro\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Do i qualify for a restraining order?<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9def644 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"9def644\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id='legal-disclaimer'  id=\"boomdevs_13\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Legal Disclaimer<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0e0dbce elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0e0dbce\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please consult with an attorney to discuss your specific circumstances and receive tailored guidance.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In Massachusetts, the harassment prevention law is outlined in Chapter 258E. It allows individuals to seek a court-ordered Harassment Prevention Order (HPO), also known as a 258E order. This order can protect you from harassment, stalking, or sexual assault regardless of your relationship with the harasser. To qualify as harassment under this law, the behavior [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5414,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[25],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5413","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-restraining-orders"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>What Is the Harassment Prevention Law in Massachusetts? - Afford Law<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Explore the essentials of Massachusetts&#039; harassment prevention law, detailing who it protects, how to file for a harassment prevention order, and the legal consequences of violating such orders. Stay informed and understand your rights with our comprehensive guide.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/affordlaw.org\/harassment-prevention-law-massachusetts\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"What Is the Harassment Prevention Law in Massachusetts? - Afford Law\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Explore the essentials of Massachusetts&#039; harassment prevention law, detailing who it protects, how to file for a harassment prevention order, and the legal consequences of violating such orders. Stay informed and understand your rights with our comprehensive guide.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/affordlaw.org\/harassment-prevention-law-massachusetts\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Afford Law\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:author\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/affordlaw.org\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2024-05-03T10:58:57+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-03-20T10:36:54+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/affordlaw.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/harassment-prevention-law.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"500\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"500\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Attorney Paul Whelan\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Attorney Paul Whelan\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/affordlaw.org\\\/harassment-prevention-law-massachusetts\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/affordlaw.org\\\/harassment-prevention-law-massachusetts\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Attorney Paul Whelan\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/affordlaw.org\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/4f280d694ac334f7d65660bfb22b5084\"},\"headline\":\"What Is the Harassment Prevention Law in Massachusetts?\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-05-03T10:58:57+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-03-20T10:36:54+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/affordlaw.org\\\/harassment-prevention-law-massachusetts\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":920,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/affordlaw.org\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/affordlaw.org\\\/harassment-prevention-law-massachusetts\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/affordlaw.org\\\/staging\\\/2465\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/05\\\/harassment-prevention-law.png\",\"articleSection\":[\"Restraining Orders\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/affordlaw.org\\\/harassment-prevention-law-massachusetts\\\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/affordlaw.org\\\/harassment-prevention-law-massachusetts\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/affordlaw.org\\\/harassment-prevention-law-massachusetts\\\/\",\"name\":\"What Is the Harassment Prevention Law in Massachusetts? - Afford Law\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/affordlaw.org\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/affordlaw.org\\\/harassment-prevention-law-massachusetts\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/affordlaw.org\\\/harassment-prevention-law-massachusetts\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/affordlaw.org\\\/staging\\\/2465\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/05\\\/harassment-prevention-law.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-05-03T10:58:57+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-03-20T10:36:54+00:00\",\"description\":\"Explore the essentials of Massachusetts' harassment prevention law, detailing who it protects, how to file for a harassment prevention order, and the legal consequences of violating such orders. 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