A non-molestation order is a type of court injunction used in England and Wales to protect someone (and sometimes their children) from domestic abuse such as violence, harassment, threats, or other intimidating behaviour by a partner, ex-partner, or certain family members. Breaching a non-molestation order is a criminal offence, meaning the police can arrest the person who ignores or breaks the order.

Basic meaning

  • A non-molestation order is an order made under Part IV of the Family Law Act 1996 that tells one person (the respondent) not to “molest” another person who is associated with them, or a relevant child.
  • “Molestation” is not precisely defined in the law, but in practice it covers behaviour like physical violence, threats, harassment, stalking, pestering, and other abusive or controlling conduct that causes distress or harms wellbeing.

What it can stop

A non-molestation order can be tailored to specific behaviours. Typical terms include:

  • No physical violence or threats of violence.
  • No harassment, stalking, intimidation, or pestering (including repeated calls or messages).
  • No direct or indirect contact (calls, texts, emails, social media, or messages via third parties), unless specifically allowed for things like child contact arrangements.
  • No coming within a certain distance of your home, your workplace, your child’s school, or other specified places.

Who can apply

The order is available only where you and the other person are “associated persons” under the Family Law Act. This usually covers:

  • Current or former spouses or civil partners.
  • People who live together or used to live together in an intimate relationship.
  • People who are relatives.
  • People who have agreed to marry or enter a civil partnership (even if it was called off).
  • Parents of a child or those with parental responsibility, and parties to the same family court proceedings.

How serious is it?

  • Breaching a non-molestation order is a criminal offence and can lead to arrest, a criminal charge, and potentially imprisonment or a fine.
  • The order is recorded and can be enforced by the police, which often offers stronger protection than an informal agreement or a warning alone.

Practical and safety note

  • If someone is in immediate danger, the right step is to contact emergency services.
  • For non-urgent but serious concerns about domestic abuse, domestic violence charities, legal aid clinics, or specialist family solicitors can explain options, including applying urgently (sometimes without the other person being told in advance) for a non-molestation order.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.