Do You Expect the System to Protect You?

Man charged with attempting to drag woman under train :: News :: Post-Tribune This is another example of a restraining order failing to do much restraining. She had a restraining order, but in the two months it was in place, he was arrested "numerous times" for violations.

Doesn't sound like much protection to me.

He is now charged with attempted murder.

Police said he took her outside and dragged her by her hair and shoulders down the street to the railroad tracks at the south side of the trailer park, saying, "I'm going to kill you, then myself. If I can't have you, no one will have you."

He didn't love her; he wanted to control her. When she said "No!" he became violent.

She told police she was within 6 feet of the train and able to see the undercarriage of the passing cars as he attempted to push her under while she fought and screamed.

She didn't know why he stopped trying to force her under the train.

Instead, he began dragging her toward his stepmother's trailer. He let go and ran when he heard police sirens.

Numerous violations of a restraining order, and if he hadn't had second thoughts, he probably would have pushed her under the train about the time the police got there.

Restraining orders are interesting legal documents, but they are not really protection against violent attack. This guy was arrested numerous times. That means he was released numerous times. How many days do you think he spent in jail after each arrest? Why was someone with proven violent tendencies, someone who had repeatedly demonstrated his utter contempt for court orders and the rule of law out on the street? Because the system cannot (or is that will not?) protect domestic violence victims. They are on their own.