A PFA in PA stands for "Protection From Abuse" order, which is a court order issued by a judge that can provide protective "relief" from someone who is abusing you, for up to three years. It is a civil proceeding that is meant to prohibit one party (the defendant) from having contact with, harassing, abusing, stalking, or communicating with the other party (the plaintiff) . A PFA order is similar to what other states have, such as a restraining order. It can make it illegal for the abuser to contact you or your children. A PFA can be filed by an adult household member, or an adult guardian on behalf of a minor child, who has one of the following relationships with the abuser: related by marriage (spouse, in-laws, etc.), current or former sexual or intimate partner, someone with whom the victim has a child with, or a family member. If a PFA is violated, the defendant could be charged with Indirect Criminal Contempt and be placed in prison for a period up to six months and/or pay a fine up to $1000.00.