Restraining Orders Can Protect Children at School

In order to learn and develop, all children need to feel safe and be safe at school.  This is especially true for children who have suffered from the effects of domestic violence.  

Restraining orders can provide crucial protection for children and their non-abusive parent at school.  They can prohibit an abusive parent from coming on school grounds and into school buildings, rooms, and offices.

There is much that school officials, administrators, teachers, and other staff can do to make schools safe for children, including children affected by domestic violence as well as their non-abusive parent.  They can learn about restraining orders and work with parents to understand the effect of each restraining order issued to protect a student or the student's parent. They can adopt strategies to insure compliance with restraining orders in schools.

The Massachusetts legal services' Domestic Violence and School Safety Workgroup have produced some information about restraining orders for schools and parents. The article explains how restraining orders can provide protection and help children be safe and feel safe at school. The checklist suggests practical things that schools can do to make the school as safe as possible when there are restraining orders.