Abstract:
This report summarizes research funded by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), to evaluate the effectiveness of civil protective orders. The research found that most victims were satisfied with protective orders and the protective orders stopped or reduced the violence and abuse they were experienced. While both rural and urban victims experienced reduced violence and abuse with protective orders, additional barriers existed for obtaining protective orders in rural areas. For policy implications, the authors suggested increasing access to protective orders since they were a cost-effective method for reducing domestic violence and tailoring training and education on the modern understanding of domestic violence to address jurisdiction and community specific barriers. See also NCJ 228350, Kentucky Civil Protective Order Study: A Rural and Urban Multiple Perspective Study of Protective Order Violation Consequences, Responses, and Costs and Civil Protective Order Effectiveness: Justice or Just a Piece of Paper? (presentation). (CVRL Abstract)