Restraining Orders May Empower Women Against Domestic Violence (From Domestic Violence: Opposing Viewpoints, P 127-133, 2000, Tamara L. Roleff, ed. -- See NCJ-185753)

• NCJ Number: 185769
• Author(s): K. J. Wilson
• Date Published: 2000
• Length: 7 pages
• Sale Source: Greenhaven Press
• Publication Format: Book (Hardbound)
• Publication Type: Collected Work
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Opposing Viewpoints Series

Annotation

The author discusses the family court system and protection orders in the context of domestic violence, and she admits civil protection orders are sometimes difficult to obtain and enforce.

Abstract

Nonetheless, the author believes obtaining a protection order gives many women a sense of empowerment and does prevent some women from being further abused. In discussing the legal response to domestic violence, consideration is paid to the complex network of processes, people, and laws in which battered women may have to operate and to the family court system. Three legal strategies available to women in most States to protect themselves against domestic violence are identified: (1) divorce or legal separation from the abusive husband; (2) civil protection order that requires the batterer to stop abusing, threatening, or harassing the woman; and (3) criminal prosecution of the batterer. Effects and limitations of protection orders are examined, along with ways of improving the protection order experience. The author concludes domestic violence requires a coordinated response from every part of the criminal justice system, a response that also involves collaboration with social service agencies and advocacy groups.