Protective orders are the best tool we have to reduce the risks that domestic violence victims’ face as they separate from abusive partners. Protective orders reduce the severity and frequency of violence, or end it altogether, in about 70% of cases. To be effective, protective orders must be paired with a safety plan that can include steps such as staying at an address that is unknown to the abuser, shelter, criminal charges, or changing the locks at home.
Maryland has a strong protective order law, but where’s the justice? Victims face many barriers to justice in our courts. The stories below include Maryland protective order data, information on common barriers, and many stories our volunteers have documented in court about justice denied.
Share your thoughts on what needs to change in our courts and how we can best expand justice for domestic violence survivors.
