lynn329,

I agree that restraining orders are more often than not a joke.

I had one against a boyfriend who turned out to be an abusive alcoholic (Thank God he never really hurt me; I found out that he had put his first wife in the hospital...) and it did not deter him at all. In fact, I moved from one state to the other (across the line), got an unlisted number and thought I was safe until the stupid Post Office gave him my forwarding address!!! I had not given that a thought...if I had I would have gotten a PO box. He showed up at my apartment but I was not home. He even left a note! It took me years to finally get rid of him once and for all.