Bulletin Reports

Using Protective Orders to Reduce Domestic Violence

Criminal Protective Orders as a Critical Strategy to Reduce Domestic Violence, Final Summary Overview summarizes the methodology and findings of an examination of Connecticut's policies and practices regarding criminal protective orders used to address domestic violence. The study had four objectives.

1. Explain the criminal protection order as a critical strategy in reducing domestic violence
2. Expand knowledge of how protective orders influence the daily lives of women and children
3. Disseminate findings to inform practice, policy, and future research
4. Document pertinent accounts of collaboration so future collaboration may improve policy, practice, and research

Data came from self-reports of 298 female victims in semistructured, retrospective interviews and from state criminal records. Six findings were reported.

1. Criminal protective orders were issued in all cases.
2. Victims who no longer were in violent relationships at the time of a second interview had expressed higher levels of domestic violence and greater fear during their first interviews.
3. Women who contacted police themselves reported more positive experiences with the court process.
4. Those who requested a protection order reported greater fear of their partners in relation to the court process than individuals who had an unrequested protection order issued by a court.
5. Women’s experiences with the court process were associated with their domestic violence victimization reported in the second interview.
6. Most women stated that they would use criminal justice system resources in the future.

The complete report, NCJ 250664, can be found at www.ncjrs.gov.