*GASP* - Restraining Orders Don't Always Work...

[someguy]

<sarcasm>I JUST CAN'T BELIEVE IT</sarcasm>


FAST FACTS:

Two cases of order of protection ended up in murder this year.
If not followed up the right way, an order could result in danger.
Counselors urge to follow it through with emotional and financial support.
brian.kuebler@wreg.com

(Memphis, TN -- 2/20/2008)  There are times when an order of protection doesn't protect much at all.

"People need to know what a restraining order can and can't do. What it can't do is keep you 100 percent safe," said the Counselor Anna Whalley.

It is a reality two Shelby County families have already had to face in 2008.  Lavatrice Street was run off the road and killed by a man police say was her boyfriend; the restraining order found beside her in the car.  Then there is this week's gruesome murder and dismemberment of Charlene Gaither.  News Channel 3 uncovered a restraining order she filed just weeks before her killing.

They are pieces of paper than can be a start, a first step, but altogether these orders are not a solution.

"You've broken that silence so you're in greater danger," said Counselor Vernetta Eddleman.

Eddleman counsels woman after they file a restraining order.  She says the chances of a partner retaliating goes way up after an order is filed, especially if it is not followed up or dropped completely.

"Once those wheels start turning, you can't take it back and you're at a greater risk to being a victim of homicide and that is what we see time and time again."

And at least twice this year.  It's why Eddleman runs a support group for women every Saturday.  She Counsels them with financial and emotional support to follow these protective orders through.  Helping them stay out of harms way while the justice system serves the papers or makes arrests.

"They help them move forward to making sure and committing to staying away because that's the whole key. Staying away and doing it safely."

For more information or help call Shelby County's Crime Victims Center Hotline at 545-HELP or the Circle of Inspiration Support Group at 359-8516.

[tombogan03884]

I noticed no mention of self protection.

[FlyAndFight]

I noticed no mention of self protection.

I noticed that glaring omission as well.

[DDMac]

More and more women, especially in NC, where they can get "emergency" pistol purchase permits, are making the gun shop the second stop after court. I have been a staff instructor for the required safety class for two years + now and I know "the look" on a woman's face when they are desperate for protection. They don't talk much, and we don't ask. Many of you have seen it too. Not much better at the end of a class than to see that look change from FEAR to FIERCE. I love my job. I sorrow for those in States where there are fewer options.
Mac.

[gunman1911]

Boy do I know about PPO's they only work if the person served will stay away, one bad examples is where I now work. It is a  Casino that I work as security and EMS And one of the female dealers had a boyfriend that worked in slots until things went wrong and she filed a PPO against him and he lost his job because of the fact )1 He made the assault on property and )2 shut the PPO against him, BUT he is tribal and gets special consideration and has been rehired in------------------SECURITY! Never mind that he could not pass a background check and the fact he committed an assault while on company property   BUUUT  he violated his probation by falling a drug test. Boy talk about a load in my intestines!

[Sponsor]

[DDMac]

I get the feeling that the story isn't over yet. Hope she is the survivor.  Mac.

[someguy]

Just now had a chance to check the responses... 

I agree that the story is probably far from over, but I doubt that the local press here will have any follow-ups - especially if she ends up using a permit/weapon in defense.  God forbid they make the shooter out to be a good guy.

Memphis is referred to these days as Mogadishu on the Mississippi, and you can guess why, if you haven't heard the FBI stats...  (We're #1!  We're #1!  ...And I don't mean the U of M Tigers, either.)

I just hope that we can use stories like this to help convince more and more people to get into shooting - and carrying - on a regular basis.  Michael's right - we've got to go on the offensive w/ regards to recruiting new shooters.  Getting more women into the sport/habit is one of the best things that we can do for our 2nd amendment future, if you ask me.

[Teresa Heilevang]

I agree. Lawmakers, courts, .....People continually want the victims of abuse to run and hide.
Well you can't run forever and you can't hide forever.
But more often than not.. and the saddest part is...when the woman fights back and there is a casualty, she goes to prison..
but I guess it is better than going 6 ft under.. 

[speckfise721]

i arrested a guy for rapin his pregnant girlfriend twice at gunpoint..i tried to get the girl a protective order and she didnt think she would need one because "he would be in jail awhile"...he was a juvenile and at the certification hearin 2 months later, she conviently forgot everything that had happened on those two days. she had the baby and had been taking him to jail to see daddy twice a week. all my hard work for nothing.....she's too blind to realize it will happen again...if not here then someone else.