Who gets protection orders for intimate partner violence? Original Research Article

Background: It is unknown how victims of intimate partner violence (IPV) who seek civil protection orders differ from IPV victims who do not. Methods: To compare characteristics of women with and without protection orders, 448 women with police or court contact for an IPV incident in Seattle, Washington, were interviewed. Data collected included demographic characteristics of the subject and her abuser, abuse history, and the subject’s mental and physical health. Results: IPV victims who obtained protection orders were more likely than victims without protection orders to be employed full-time, be pregnant, be married, aged over 24, and less likely to be involved with perpetrator at index incident. The perpetrators for both groups were similar, and the majority had a current or previous alcohol/drug problem and a previous criminal history. Both groups of victims had been psychologically and physically abused during the previous year and nearly all had symptoms of depression. However, at the index incident, women who sought protection orders were less likely to be physically assaulted or injured, but more likely to have family members or friends physically assaulted. Conclusions: Financial independence and abuse of family or friends are important factors associated with the decision to seek a protection order in IPV.