title: Protective orders: questions and conundrums.
abstract: Current media portrayal of protective orders is often negative, focusing on weaknesses in how protective orders are obtained and enforced. This review of research findings on protective orders examines issues and suggests areas in need of future research to clarify and improve public policy. More specifically, this review has five main objectives: (a) to provide background information about partner violence and the need for protective orders; (b) to describe what protective orders are, how many women obtain them, and the advantages and disadvantages of obtaining protective orders; (c) to examine characteristics of women who seek protective orders; (d) to explore research on whether protective orders actually increase women's safety; and (e) to highlight opportunities and gaps in the practice and research literature regarding the use of protective orders for women with violent partners or ex-partners.
authors.affiliation: Department of Behavioral Science, University of Kentucky, Center on Drug and Alcohol Research, Kentucky, USA.
authors.forename: T K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Logan
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Shannon
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: Teri Marie
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Faragher
mesh_terms: D018585:Battered Women / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D035846:Law Enforcement; D008297:Male; D008389:Marketing of Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012926:Social Control, Formal; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000517:prevention & control; D014481:United States