Tip #16 – Getting Help: Orders of Protection with GPS Monitoring. Domestic Violence Awareness Month

The most powerful tool for stopping abuse is usually obtaining a restraining order (also called an order of protection in some states) against the abusive person.  While it’s been proven to reduce the violence in many cases, it’s been known to increase the violence in others, resulting in severe injury and/or death to the victim.  It’s only a piece of paper, after all, and it won’t stop a bullet or a psychotic/vindictive abuser who’s determined to get revenge. 

Orders of Protection with a GPS monitoring component.  The police can only get involved if an abuser violates a restraining order and, unfortunately, that might be waay to late.  Judges can increase the safety of people with very violent abusers, however, by granting a Restraining Order with a GPS monitoring component.  This requires that an abuser (or a stalker!) wear an unremoveable global positioning anklet that will send an alert to both the victim and the police if the boundaries or terms of the Order are being violated.  Early warning should enable the victim to take evasive action and, hopefully, enable the police to intercept the violator before any violence is committed.  About 12-15 states offer GPS monitoring now; and while it’s expensive to implement this program, especially in these days of austerity spending and budget cuts, it’s a critical life-saving option that must not be disregarded.

Should you or shouldn’t you?  Before filing for any kind of restraining order to protect yourself (and your family), get advice from a local or national domestic violence organization or a Family Justice Center to help you make up your mind.  Bottom line, though, you know your situation better than anyone else, so trust your instincts and do only what you feel is safest.  If you do decide to file for protection, work out a safety plan first.

Resources on Orders of Protection:

• Womens Law Center:  http://www.womenslaw.org/laws_state_type.php?statelaw_name=Restraining%20Orders&state_code=GE
• http://www.ehow.com/facts_7217614_legal-restraining-orders.html
• http://divorcesupport.about.com/od/abusiverelationships/a/restrain_order.htm
• Crime Prevention 101 show on Orders of Protection with GPS Monitoring Component:  http://bit.ly/OP-GPS

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.  If you need immediate help, call National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or 1-800-787-3224 (TDD).  Crime Prevention 101