Under prior law, judges could only issue restraining orders in domestic violence matters if the alleged abuser had a prior association with the victim, such as marriage, common household or romantic relationship. Recently, the Legislature passed, and Gov. Murphy signed, a bill which expands the protections to victims with no current or prior close relationship to the alleged perpetrator. Under prior law, people stalked or harassed by a stranger had to file a criminal complaint in order to qualify for protection. Under the new law, victims who are stalked by strangers or trollers on the Internet can now get a protective order.