"He Just Wants to Get Under My Skin": Systemic Barriers That Mother-Survivors Confront While Prioritizing Protection

Area of Science:

• Legal Studies
• Sociology
• Criminology

Background:

• The U.S. legal system often reflects and reinforces power imbalances in abusive relationships.
• Current research inadequately addresses how civil protection orders may escalate risks for mother-survivors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore how civil protection orders impact mother-survivors' vulnerability to ongoing abuse.
• To identify specific tactics abusers employ within legal proceedings.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative interviews with mother-survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV).
• Thematic analysis of interview data to identify patterns of abuse within the legal system.

Main Results:

• Abusers utilize litigation, continued coercive control/harassment, and evasion of parental responsibilities to maintain power.
• Systemic barriers exacerbate the risks faced by mother-survivors and their children.

Conclusions:

• Legal system interventions, including civil protection orders, can inadvertently increase survivor vulnerability.
• Recommendations include early intervention, legislative expansion to cover coercive control, and judicial training.