I am the Domestic Violence Victim. Why do I have a Restraining Order against Me?

Domestic violence aggressors often use the legal system to continue harassing, controlling, manipulating, and intimidating their victims. Because aggressors have the first-hand experience with restraining orders and often the criminal justice system, they are very well aware of the steps to take to make it appear as though they are the victims instead of the aggressors. By filing the restraining order or the complaint first, the aggressors get to control the narrative and by doing so – the victim. This allows aggressors to use the system to intimidate the victim. If there are children involved, the restraining order could even be used to obtain temporary custody of the children.

Having to defend oneself against charges made by the true aggressor can be frustrating, overwhelming, and disheartening for the actual victim. A victim who has been served with a restraining order should gather and organize his or her evidence related to the incident, and contact an attorney as soon as possible to discuss the next steps.