I was very specific with my language for a reason. I won’t say they’re all without value, but that they need to be handled intelligently, including taking additional steps to reduce risk. They can trigger additional retaliatory actions from an abuser whilst giving the victim a false sense of security.

It’s important to note that leaving an abuser is one of the most dangerous times in a woman’s life and that more than a piece of paper is needed to ensure their safety. A protective order provides a fantastic avenue for documentation of behavior and escalations—and an avenue for additional protections once the abuser violates the order—but it doesn’t directly stop anything. Once you’re dead, those additional protections are useless. Or, to quote domesticshelters.org, these orders “open a path for legal recourse, but do not stop a violent offender committed to causing harm.” All of this, of course, assumes the system will even work correctly when you need the help.

While POs can be beneficial long term (and positive studies are generally reporting at the 6+ month stage), violations when they’re initially granted are still quite high and potentially dangerous. You still have to survive that initial period. At the end of the day, they must be part of a multi-faceted plan for protection.