Letter: Protective orders fail to ensure peoples’ safety

Sunday, Oct. 24, 1999 | 10:22 a.m.

Most of us are painfully aware that Family Court has its inherent problems. Temporary protective orders are one of them. A piece of paper protects no one. An order that is not enforced by the police is useless.

Until domestic violence of every kind, including child abuse, is acknowledged as assault and battery and prosecuted as such, we will remain handicapped in helping victims of domestic violence. Double standards should not be tolerated. Assault and battery is a crime.

If there was ever an urgent need for reform in Family Court, it is certainly now. The actions or inaction of this system and related agencies have harmed too many people. The Legislature and the governor are aware. We the people of this community must demand a special legislative session on these matters. No more talk. It is time for immediate action!

AL DI CICCO Director, Coalition for Family Court Reform

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