Effectiveness, Victim Safety, Characteristics, and Enforcement of Protective Orders

Abstract

This study sought to review the extant literature on effectiveness and safety associated with orders of protection from abuse. Forty-three scholarly articles were reviewed and placed in a table representing four themes, including (a) victim safety and effectiveness (as measured by protective order [PO] violations and revictimization); (b) perceptions of victim satisfaction, safety, and psychological well-being; (c) predictors and characteristics of victims, perpetrators; and (d) the enforcement of POs. Results suggest that approximately 40%–50% of POs are violated. Although some large-scale studies have found significant reductions in revictimization, a larger number of smaller community samples have found physical and psychological abuse increases upon issuance of a PO. Research on perceived safety and effectiveness suggests female victims feel safer when POs are issued and find them effective. Issues associated with enforcement demonstrate difficulty enforcing and POs. Issues of public policy and directions for future research are discussed.