In working often with victims of crimes, one actually can readily see that, while the protective (or restraining, if your state so refers to it as this) orders intent is to protect the victim; however, the truth of the matter is often that the perpetrator views it just as a piece of paper standing between the perpetrator and the victim. If the perpetrator is so determined, they are going to ignore the piece of paper and pursue the victim with often the attitude of “you have to catch me first”; to them the risk of the violation of the protective order is small and they fear no consequence.
It is still always better to have the protective order than not for a victim because it actually allows them to call the police immediately if someone sees the perpetrator coming within the distance zone that they shouldn’t be in for the safety of the victim, rather than waiting for the perpetrator to actually approach them within a distance of immediate danger.
Now, in accordance to a blog posting on SLATE entitled, “Tracking Device: How about using GPS monitoring to stop batterers?”. The author, Maura Kelly, on May 4, 2007, mentioned:
I would encourage you to read the entire article written by Maura Kelly; however, it seems as a long awaited possible help to deter the perpetrator could be in the works. The effectiveness shall be seen in due time; it is too early to tell; however, hopefully, a program like this will be coming to an area near you.
Maura Kelly states further in her article posted insofar as funding for this program:
It is time to turn the tables on the aggressors who often stalk their victims with GPS units to monitor their victim’s whereabouts. Legislators need to know that we need such programs in place; advocate for your area as soon as you can to make sure that the message is loud and clear that we need more effective means of making the protective order much more than just a piece of paper. Why not let the same technology behind the chip that they so readily use, help to keep them from their victims???
Any thoughts???
[…] May 7th, 2007 by txbluebonnet When does a Protective Order become more than “Just a piece of paper”? When you advocate for programs like this come into place in your state!! See the following article… […]