Restraining orders don't work

[DdraigGoch]

An account from a woman who witnessed at only 17 that restraining orders don't work unless they're rigorously enforced.
www.telegraph.co.uk/women/life/neighbour-murdered-17-dont-tell-restraining-orders-work/

The article is behind a paywall annoyingly. I must say though...the wording of the title is ...odd.

"My Neighbour was Murdered when I was 17- so don't tell me that restraining orders work"

What has the author's age at the time of her neighbour's murder got to do with anything?

It's not pertinent.

Thinking about it...it is young to see a murder but a better title would be "I was 17 when I saw my neighbour murdered by her obsessive husband - don't tell me restraining orders work"

Find it really upsetting and offensive sort of when places meant to help me be safe like local domestic abuse organisations don't want to help. Some very kind organisations helping get women safe but if you have a bad person who answers phone or given to you, you trapped no safe place to go or no safe place permanently so you have to live in fear at risk ongoing risk. Bad people at some places domestic abuse organisation and councils tell me to get non molestation order instead of trying to help me get safe place to live. They don't care if not suitable for all victims. My partner threatened before to kill me and himself if police charge him. Especially if they drunk they ignore or forget the restraining and non molestation the orders. My partner knows nothing happens if he breaks one but he dangerous even if they were enforced more cos if he kills or injuries me badly, too late to help me if he's arrested after happens. Places should help victims have safe new home when risk is serious. Sorry posting a lot. Hard dealing with what happened to me how things went wrong. Was too scared to get help for so long then was really hard to access help. Postcode lottery and some very kind amazing professionals but also some bad ones. Bad ones don't want to help and dont want to advocate for you when other places breaking their legal duty to help. The bad ones tell you to just go to police or get injunction instead of helping you get safe places to go to. It took everything all my strength when finally trusted somewhere they said they were going to help including safe place after refuge. When went wrong and so had to go back and the places that were meant to help with rehousing didn't. Back to trying to get help to be safe. Postcode lottery on support and places that don't care if dangerous to stay where you are, they tell you to get an injunction. They can maybe work if enforced better but still not suitable for all victims.

Restraining orders don't work. I suspect that it's the misogyny behind their enforcement that is the problem - as in the police won't enforce them and the men in question know it.

I was considerably younger than 17 when I saw an axe taken to a door and then to a woman (she didn't die).

I've always wondered the rationale behind issuing a restraining order rather than arresting the perpetrator. I'd find it flimsy reassurance at best.

for @EmbarrassingAdmissions

I am racking my brain to remember where I read this but ...... it appears the police do not understand the legal options available for DV. My suggestion would be that they reduce their rainbow flag waving and training and get on with teaching their officers about the actual law. Shame on them

‘I've always wondered the rationale behind issuing a restraining order rather than arresting the perpetrator. I'd find it flimsy reassurance at best.’

You can only issue a restraining order if the abuser has been arrested, charged and gone to court.