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Battered Non-Wives And Unequal Protection Order Coverage: A Call For Reform, Judith A. Smith

ExpressO

Civil protection orders are effective, yet under-used weapons in the battle against domestic violence. In New York and in other states as well, civil orders of protection provide unique benefits and remedies to domestic violence victims that are in addition to, or that are in place of, the benefits the criminal system offers. They are under used in part because they are not available to all victims. In every state, the availability of civil protection orders is limited to those victims who are in certain defined relationships. While many states have expanded their definitions of the types of relationships that …