In 2021, the number of new protection from abuse orders filed statewide increased by 12 percent from 2020. A PFA is a civil court order to help protect victims of domestic violence, providing relief from abuse by an intimate partner, family or household member. Protection orders are rules for the person hurting or threatening the victim. Filing a protection order, also known as a protection from abuse order or PFA, with PA Courts can help protect the victim and the victim's family. If the abuser breaks these rules the person can be punished and the police can make an arrest. The infographic above highlights 2021 PFA data including the statewide number of PFAs filed over the last five years, the top 10 counties with the highest number of PFA cases and the percentages of PFA case outcomes.