Family & Community Students & Families
Student Support, Career & Education Services

Mary Lou, a sixteen year old student from Winterville attends North Vocational School in Spring Valley. A Restraining Order has been issued by the District Court against Jed, her sixteen year old ex-boyfriend, who also lives in Winterville and attends North Vocational School (which is in a different community than the students live in).

The police in Winterville issued the Restraining Order which states Jed must:

• Refrain from abuse;
• Have no contact with Mary Lou;
• Stay at least 50 yards away from Mary Lou.

Notification

The victim (Mary Lou) has notified the school authorities about the restraining order. It is recommended that the police notify the school where the victim goes that a restraining order has been issued and should consider notifying the police and school administration in the event that the student attends school in a different community.

Schools should work closely with police departments around the process for notification, paying attention to unique issues around:

• regional schools (high schools and vocational schools)
• private or parochial schools
• students who attend schools or come to a school in a different community

What Steps Should North Take?

1. Hold SEPARATE meetings with Mary Lou (victim) and Jed (defendant) to:
   • Review the restraining order and ramifications;
   • Clarify expectations;
   • Review the school day, classes, lunch (open/closed campus situation),activities paying attention to potential conflicts, opportunities for face-to-face contact; and
   • Identify schedule overlaps i.e.. Arrival/dismissal times, classes, lunch, before and after school activities, locker.

   Whenever possible face-to-face contact should be avoided. If changes need to be made, attention should be given to the victim's preference.

2. In meeting with Mary Lou (the victim) the school should consider:
   • Helping Mary Lou identify adults within the school setting with whom she feels comfortable;
   • Developing a "safety plan" which includes:
   • The schedule(s) of staff person (s) for support when needed;
   • Routes to/from school;
   • Routes to/from classes;
   • A support network of peers (to accompany her in travels through the day);
   • A discussion of potential problems/areas of concern (after-school activities, class trips, dances, etc.); and
   • Follow-up meeting dates to review the situation and to make any necessary adjustments.

3. In meeting with Jed (defendant) the school should consider developing a checklist/plan that includes the following key points:
   • Identification of key staff to check in with daily/weekly or as needed.
   • Any needed class/schedule changes, lunch, locker changes.
   • Changes in arrival/departure times to/from school
   • Changes in arrival/departure times to/from classes
   • Clear review of expectations and consequences for any violations
   • Follow-up meeting dates to review how things are working and to make any necessary adjustments.

   The burden for any changes should be on the defendant, not the victim.

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