NCJ Number
212761
Journal
Violence Against Women Volume: 12 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2006 Pages: 68-88
Date Published
January 2006
Length
21 pages
Annotation
This study systematically analyzed all 50 States and the District of Columbia to determine which States had the most “victim friendly” and progressive legislation to protect women from domestic violence.
Abstract
One of the most important milestones in domestic violence intervention was the implementation of personal protection orders (PPOs) for victims in the United States. PPOs, also referred to as “no-contact orders,” are designed to reduce domestic violence victimization by limiting contact between the victim and offender. The current analysis systematically reviewed all 50 States and the District of Columbia for the extent to which the States complied with the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) as well as the ease of the PPO administration process, the relationship between the petitioner and respondent, and the severity of punishment for violations as indicators of the degree to which States were “victim friendly” in their orientation toward domestic violence victims. Data were collected from United States statutes. Results indicated that legislation in most States regarding their PPO process was consistent with requirements of the VAWA, although regional variations were noted in the accessibility of PPOs to domestic violence victims. Future research should focus on the effectiveness of PPOs in preventing future violence against victims of domestic violence. Figure, appendix, notes, references