make all protective orders permanent

[rhi220595]

Hi, I am posting on here my petition to make all protective orders permanent. It is cruel that the onus falls on victims to prove to a court on a yearly basis that their protective order should be extended, and only implementing protective orders for one year does not encourage abusers to actively seek help to change their behaviors. It is also traumatic and frightening to the victim having to relive the horrors of their abuse and makes it difficult for victims to be able to feel safe and move on. I think the onus should now fall on the abusers to have to go through the stress of applying to court and standing up presenting evidence, to prove that their victim no longer needs protection for them and that they have changed their ways.
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/579026?fbclid=IwAR23K8-nU4rWxDVyu5uJGR2gnogL1tJvtpEZQr9Yp1mz6kNUwrLP5vtExXE
please sign and share the link if you are willing. I believe the victim shaming needs to end.

A friend had a restraining order against her violent ex, he used to breach it regularly and in front of witnesses but was never convicted, even though it is a criminal offence in its own right.

Restraining Orders - Section 5, Protection from Harassment Act 1997
www.cps.gov.uk/legal-guidance/restraining-orders-section-5-protection-harassment-act-1997

Thank you.

From what you've said it sounds like there's a massive onus on the victim to report report keep evidence report etc etc even though the court has accepted that on the balance of (or whatever the language is) the victim is at risk from him.

That feels kind of arse about face. Shouldn't be be having to prove somehow he's not broken it? Iyswim.

The continual gathering of evidence by the victim, reporting, back to court, etc etc. It feels really weighted the wrong way.

OTOH I suppose that the 'some women want men to be found guilty with no trial' types would point out that the judgement is a kind of halfway house.

I don't know. It all sounds like a total nightmare.

Signed. I had a non-molestation order against my abusive exH. Due to the Covid backlog it's been expired for nearly 4 months, with no court date in sight. Surprise, surprise, as soon as it expired exH ramped up the harassment again to the point that I was a screaming, sobbing mess on the kitchen floor. Going to court to get it in the first place was horrific enough.

@BlowDryRat I am so sorry to hear this! keep chasing the courts hopefully they will get you in soon! Also I know the order has expired but have you still called 101 to report the harassment? sometimes when you do they tell you a certain thing to message the person back that basically says I do not want you to contact me, it is harassment, I have spoken to the police and if you continue to harass me it will be seen as harassment under the harassment and stalking laws (don't quote me on this call the police first)..... or something like that... if your order has expired though have you tried just applying for a new emergency non mol? they can get those sorted within days. I am sorry you are going through this...

Done. The restraining order against my ex finished a year ago. Although he never broke it, nothing has happened to rehabilitate him so ultimately he is still a danger and a threat to myself. I'll never feel fully safe ever.

I have signed this. I am so sorry to hear of the struggles you are facing to remain safe.

Signed

If people are willing then please share the link to the petition to friends ad family or on any social media you have!

Signed 👍🏻