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Order For Protection Helps Victims Of Violence

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Sep 8, 2009 5:52 pm US/Central

Order For Protection Helps Victims Of Violence

Reporting
John Lauritsen
HASTINGS, Minn. (WCCO) ― Ann Sheridan is the supervisor for the B. Robert Lewis House in Hastings, which is a safehouse for women and children who are victims of domestic violence.

"We work on goals so that when they do leave here they are okay long-term," said Sheridan.

Filing an order for protection is one of the first things she does when a victim shows up at her door, but it doesn't stop there.

"Without the safety plan it is probably not as effective. It's very important to have a safety plan along with that order for protection," said Sheridan.

Sheridan said an order for protection simply helps with that plan because it makes the situation black and white for police officers, and it sends a warning to the abuser.

A protection order can also be given to school officials so they know what to look for and they can help protect the victim's children. They can also protect law enforcement because they disclose what type of weapons the abuser might have and whether or not they have drugs or alcohol in their home.

Protection orders can be obtained for free at a courthouse, but it is then up to a judge to decide if it should be granted. So far this year more than 5,000 orders have been granted in the state, but abusers have violated more than half of those. Still, it is often the first step towards safety.

"We find that many people do respect those orders, they do provide an additional safety device. It's a good tool, it just doesn't work on every occasion," said Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman.

Criteria for an order for protection varies from case to case. Every time a protection order is violated the penalty is increased and in many cases that includes jail time.

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