Intimate Partner Abuse and Violence Victim-Survivors’ Experiences With and Perceptions of Navigating Multiple Legal Cases

Abstract

Intimate partner abuse and violence victim-survivors may be involved in multiple legal cases across civil and criminal legal systems as they seek safety. Most research explores women’s experiences in only individual cases or systems. Drawing on 172 in-depth quantitative surveys with female victim-survivors seeking civil protection orders, the current study explores how prior case experiences relate to current case perceptions. Findings suggest increased system involvement leads to decreased perceptions of system fairness and satisfaction. Survivors with prior system involvement perceived protection orders as less effective than those with no prior involvement. Implications for future research and advocacy are discussed.