In 2010, I reported on the status of protective orders under
Virginia law as it existed at that time, in response to the recent
murder of a player on the University of Virginia women's
lacrosse team. The General Assembly, in 2011, passed legislation
which revised multiple statutes regarding family abuse and
protective orders. It is expected that the Governor will sign this
legislation, and the new laws will become effective July 1,
2011.
The definition of "family abuse" has now been amended,
and the new definition is:
Any act involving violence, force, or threat that results in
bodily injury or places one in reasonable apprehension of death,
sexual assault, or bodily injury and that is committed by a person
against such person's family or household member. Such act
includes, but is not limited to, any forceful detention, stalking,
criminal sexual assault in violation of [Virginia law], or any
criminal offense that results in bodily injury or places one
