Introduction
Protection orders are legal documents that are designed to limit contact between an abuser and the person they are abusing. These orders are often used in cases of intimate partner violence, but can they truly prevent it? In short, protection orders can play an essential role in preventing intimate partner violence, but they should not be seen as a “silver bullet” solution.
Main Body
Protection orders can create a physical barrier between the abuser and the person they are abusing, thus decreasing the risk of possible physical violence. They can also establish a clear and safe line of communication between the abuser and the abused, which can help to prevent future acts of violence from happening (Cordier et al., 2021). However, protection orders are only potent if they are enforced. Unfortunately, many abusers do not take protection orders seriously and may even ignore them. This reality can lead to a situation where the victim is still in danger, even though a protection order has been issued (Cordier et al., 2021).
Furthermore, protection orders do not address the underlying causes of such violence. In many cases, abusers continue to perpetrate violence even after a protection order has been issued. The cause here is the fact that the abuser often suffers from mental health issues or addiction that need to be addressed in order to prevent intimate partner violence truly (Cordier et al., 2021).
Finally, protection orders by themselves may not suffice in protecting victims from psychological abuse. Psychological abuse may be as dangerous as physical abuse, but it is not always easy to prove. Meaning that victims may still be subject to emotional abuse despite a protection order being in place.
Conclusion
In conclusion, protection orders can serve a useful purpose in preventing intimate partner violence. However, they are not in the slightest an ultimate solution to the problem. They may prevent physical violence, but they do not address the true causes of intimate partner violence. Furthermore, protection orders may not be enough to protect victims from psychological abuse.
Reference
Cordier, R., Chung, D., Wilkes-Gillan, S., & Speyer, R. (2021). The effectiveness of protection orders in reducing recidivism in domestic violence: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 22(4), 804-828.