An injunction is an order from the court that can be obtained in order to stop another person from acting in specific ways. It is possible for a victim of dating violence to obtain an injunction against the person perpetrating the violence.
However, some people seek these injunctions for improper purposes, and in some cases, a mistake can result in grave consequences for the person accused of dating violence. You should call us if you face a potential injunction to prevent dating violence. An injunction to prevent dating violence can be requested under Florida Statute section Violence between people who have had a continuing romantic or intimate relationship is considered domestic violence.
For example, if you are dating someone and get frustrated and hit them, this is dating violence. Similarly, if you are sleeping with someone regularly and physically restrain them in a nonconsensual way, this is likely to be deemed dating violence, even if you do not necessarily think of them as a partner or significant other. Whether you have a dating relationship with the alleged victim of the violence turns on several factors.
The court will look at whether the relationship existed for at least six months prior to the request, whether the nature of the relationship is characterized by an expectation of sexual involvement or affection, and whether the interaction between the people involved in the relationship has been frequent and continuous over time. A dating relationship is not one that is casual or in which people have only engaged in interactions in a social or business context.
In other words, if you slept with a casual acquaintance once and then are accused of dating violence, this probably would not meet the criteria.
