Three counties in southeastern Pennsylvania were among the top 10 in new protection-from-abuse orders filed in 2025, state court officials said.
Delaware County had about 5% of the 41,597 new orders filed last year, according to data released by the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts.
Berks and Montgomery counties both had about 4% of the state total during that time.
In 2025, the number of new protection-from-abuse orders filed statewide decreased by less than 1% from 2024. (Courtesy of Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts)
Officials noted that the number of new protection-from-abuse orders filed statewide in 2025 decreased by less than 1% from 2024.
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.
Court officials said a PFA can order an abuser:
To have no contact with the victim or the victim’s children, including no texting, calling or communication by social media.
To relinquish any weapons.
To leave the home where the victim lives.
Officials said additional information about protection orders is available here.
The top 10 counties in the state:
• Philadelphia: 7,864 orders, 19% of state total.
• Allegheny: 4,104, 10%.
• Delaware: 2,047, 5%.
• Luzerne: 1,807, 4.3%
• Berks: 1,803, 4.3%.
• Montgomery: 1,756, 4.2%.
• York: 1,714, 4.1%.
• Lehigh: 1,502, 3.6%
• Lancaster: 1,394, 3.3%.
• Northampton:1,183, 2.8%
Forest and Lycoming counties each had one new order filed in 2025.
A breakdown for counties in the region:
• Delaware: 2,047 orders, 5% of state total
• Berks: 1,803, 4.3%
• Montgomery: 1,756, 4.2%.
• Chester: 670, 1.6%