Who May Obtain an Order of Protection?
If the basis of the order of protection is domestic abuse, Tennessee law requires that the Petitioner have some sort of special relationship with the Respondent. In these types of cases, the Petitioner and Respondent must be: • Adults or minors who are current or former spouses; • Adults or minors who live together or who have lived together; • Adults or minors who are dating or who have dated or who have or had a sexual relationship; • Adults or minors related by blood or adoption; • Adults or minors who are related or were formerly related by marriage; or • Adult or minor children of a person in a relationship that is described above. If the basis of the order of protection is sexual assault or stalking, the status of the relationship between the Petitioner and Respondent does not matter. Both men and women may be eligible for an order of protection. Minors can get an order of protection, but there are some special rules.
