What happens when a woman is in a dangerous and abusive situation?

When a woman is in a dangerous situation that requires immediate action, she should contact the police. However, in some states, a victim can get an emergency protective order, which functions in much the same way as a Temporary Restraining Order. The emergency protective order is usually good only until the next business day, when she will be expected to appear in court for a non-emergency Temporary Restraining Order.


Temporary Restraining Orders are often issued after normal business hours. Domestic violence does not restrict itself to the hours between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.