Date of Conferral
2020
Degree
Ph.D.
School
Criminal Justice
Advisor
Dianne Williams
Abstract
AbstractDomestic violence (DV) is a serious problem that has negatively affected millions of women in the United States and other countries physically, emotionally, and economically. However, little is known about the victims’ perceptions of the protective order (PO), and the results of their contact with or physical harm caused by the abuser. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the effectiveness of the PO from real-life experiences of women who are victims of DV. The survivor theory provided the framework for the study. Semistructured interviews with open-ended questions were conducted by phone with 10 African American women who had experiences with DV and had been granted an order of protection. Data from the transcripts were hand coded to develop themes to answer the research questions. Findings indicated that the victims who experienced positive effects of the restraining order had experiences that were associated with stern judges, advocating for self, and abusers who responded in a positive way to arrest and jail time. Victims who experienced negative effects of the PO had experiences that were associated with delays in pursuing the order and abusers who were drug users and had no respect for law enforcement. Findings may be used by judges, legislators, and police officers to improve the experience of POs for victims of DV resulting in positive social change. Findings may also assist victims of DV in becoming active participants in their own safety, learning about the judicial system, and elevating their self-esteem.
Recommended Citation
Hayes, Alisa Fant, "Female Domestic Violence Victims' Perceptions of the Effectiveness of Protective Orders" (2020). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 10130.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/10130
