In some states, the petitioner (victim) of a Personal Protection Order is required to attend multiple hearings with the respondent (abuser) to allow them to contest the order. Not one person requesting a PPO ever wants to see or be in the same area as the abuser again; this process re-victimizes the individual or family over and over again. It creates a dangerous and distressing situation that could be avoided.
Please:
1) Standardize the process for obtaining Protection Orders across states.
2) Make it illegal for any state to require the victim to be present at a hearing at the same time and place as the respondent.
3) Make it illegal for any state to allow a felon, or individual convicted of a crime against the Petitioner to contest a request for a protection order.
4) No expirations.