Historically, the protections guaranteed by domestic violence laws, and in turn restraining orders, were only offered to victims who could establish a familial or dating relationship with their abuser. Consequently, a large percentage of victims, especially those suffering from acts of stalking and sexual harassment, were left unprotected due to lacking a qualified “domestic” relationship.
However, the passage of the Victim’s Assistance and Survivor Protection Act (VASPA) has sought to remedy this oversight by amending the 2015 Sexual Assault Survivor Protection Act (SASPA) to include protections for non-sexual acts. Effective January 1, 2024, victims can now seek a restraining order for acts of stalking, cyber-harassment, sexual assault, and criminal sexual conduct. As a result, VASPA has authorized the New Jersey Superior Courts to issue temporary or final restraining orders to victims regardless of the parties’ relationship status for acts that frequently occur between people outside of a domestic relationship. Victims of the included non-sexual acts can seek a temporary or final restraining order using the same procedures as traditional domestic violence victims.
The enactment of VASPA ensures that all victims subjected to long-term and continuous harassment, are afforded the opportunity to legally protect themselves. If you are a victim of stalking, sexual assault, or cyber harassment and think you are eligible to pursue a restraining order under VASPA, call the Law Office of Gregory C. Dibsie at (856)-227-4025 for assistance with the process.
Written by: Kaitlyn E. Dibsie, Esq.