Restraining orders are important for keeping people safe when they’ve been abused. If there is a New Jersey child involved, their school must also be informed, and there are several reasons why this is so.
What is a restraining order?
In general domestic violence restraining orders are issued by judges as protection for you against harm by a person to whom you are related by blood or by marriage. This keeps the abuser away from you, stops harassment, and ideally prevents any violence.
Why your child’s school needs to know about a restraining order.
Schools often need to know about domestic violence restraining orders to keep the child of the parent to whom it was issued and the rest of the school safe. In order to do so, schools must follow the terms of the order. That means kids can’t be released to the person named in a restraining order, let kids contact them, or let them near the school. They would not know this if they didn’t know the restraining order was in place.
Thus, parents need to let the school know of the existence of the order and give school officials a copy to put in their child’s file so they know the terms.
How schools enforce restraining orders
This varies from district to district but could include the following:
- Meeting with parents to establish safety protocols.
- Meeting with the parent named in the restraining order to explain the restrictions.
- Giving copies to teachers so they know who is restrained.
- Noting if the expiration date is during the school year or after.
If you have a restraining order against your current or former spouse or partner, ensure your child’s school knows about it so that officials can take appropriate action.