Does IPV severity predict receiving a domestic violence protective order?

Domestic violence protective orders (DVPOs) are the most widely-used IPV-related legal intervention in the U.S ., and there is evidence that DVPO's are effective for secondary prevention of intimate partner violence. However, there is substantial heterogeneity in denial rates of DVPOs, and a dearth of information regarding how various factors, including severity of IPV, are associated with DVPOs being granted or denied.

We used data from the Court Ordered Protection Evaluation (COPE) study interviews (n=303), which examines DVPOs in two counties in North Carolina. We assessed participants' socio-demographic characteristics; life time, past year, and past 14 days' experience of IPV, and whether their application was granted, denied or dismissed. Over half (58%) of the DVPOs were granted; 6% were denied; and the remainder were voluntarily (6%) or involuntarily (30%) dismissed. Over half (56%) of the women experienced physical IPV in the previous 14 days; 10% had experienced sexual IPV. In addition 54% had been stalked and 80% had experienced physical or sexual IPV in the previous year. Bivariate analyses revealed that no participant sociodemographic characteristics were significantly associated with being granted a DVPO. Among types of IPV, only having been stalked (p=.016) was significantly associated with receiving a DVPO. Multivariate analyses did not alter the bivariate relationships.

The severity of IPV experienced by female DVPO plaintiffs does not appear to influence the likelihood of receiving an order. Given their potential protective benefits, more information is needed regarding what factors influence decisions to grant or deny DVPOs.