RT Article
T1 Criminal Orders of Protection for Domestic Violence: Associated Revictimization, Mental Health, and Well-being Among Victims
JF Journal of interpersonal violence
VO 36
IS 21/22
SP 10198
OP 10219
A1 Sullivan, Tami P.
A1 Weiss, Nicole H.
A1 Woerner, Jacqueline
A1 Wyatt, Janan
A1 Carey, Camille
A2 Weiss, Nicole H.
A2 Woerner, Jacqueline
A2 Wyatt, Janan
A2 Carey, Camille
LA English
YR 2021
UL https://krimdok.uni-tuebingen.de/Record/1778199100
AB All states issue criminal protection orders (POs) with the intention of improving the lives of victims of domestic violence (DV); however, there is a dearth of research examining their impact. This study aims to examine the impact of criminal POs with different levels of restrictions on victims’ revictimization, mental health, and well-being. A cross-sectional design was used to collect data regarding two time points during one interview among a sample of 298 victims in a criminal DV case. Across the three levels of PO restrictions (limited, residential stay-away, and full no-contact), participants reported significantly reduced physical, sexual, and psychological DV; unwanted pursuit behavior; post-traumatic stress and depression symptom severity; and perceived stress and fear of revictimization. The amount of change varied between groups for revictimization variables. Full no-contact restrictions were associated with the greatest decreases in revictimization. However, findings must be interpreted with caution given the heterogeneity in victims’ experiences; some victims experienced an increase in revictimization and mental health problems and a decrease in well-being. Findings suggest that the court, through criminal POs, may be a system through which to reach victims who might not otherwise connect with services to promote safety and resilience.
K1 mental health and violence
K1 Domestic Violence
K1 legal intervention
DO 10.1177/0886260519883865