One instance was this week. I was trying to get a restraining order against an ex boyfriend who was abusive who won’t stop harassing me even two years after the last break up. My own lawyer (male) tried to convince me to get a temporary extension instead of a full restraining order so that it wouldn’t show up on my ex’s record and his life would never be the same. I was shocked that my own lawyer that I trusted with my case said this. My lawyer said he’s young and I said he’s older than me and is 26. Even if he was younger I still would not understand how this could mean that he’s any less dangerous. What it came down to was that he believed my ex’s reputation was more important than my life and safety. I did not go through with the restraining order not because of the reason my lawyer gave me but because I didn’t think I could go to court and being in the same room as my ex again without puking or having a panic attack and because the judge was male and I did not feel he would understand.
