
Personal Protection Orders
"I am living in hell from one day to the next. But there is nothing I can do to escape. I don't know where I would go if I did. I feel utterly powerless, and that feeling is my prison. I entered of my own free will, I locked the door, and I threw away the key." (Haruki Murakami)
Does the above describe how you feel? Unfortunately, family violence can happen to anyone and it may not be limited to just physical abuse. Many spouses (both male and female) also face emotional abuse or intimidation. While we can assist in applying for a Personal Protection Order against a violent spouse, we recognise that it may not be a long-term solution for every situation involving family violence. Very often, a Personal Protection Order treats the "symptoms" but not the cause of family violence and in some situations may even push a marriage to the point of an irretrievable breakdown. There are also times when the support of social workers and non-government organisations (NGOs) can really help, whether by counselling the violent spouse or by empowering the abused spouse. At Beacon, we work with all the various stakeholders, striving for the best outcome for the affected families.