D.C. has an unusual order of protection that allows an abuser to stay in contact, to co-parent, to even sometimes continue to live together. Called HATS, the acronym stands for: no harassing, assaulting, threatening, or stalking. But abusers and victims can remain in the same house. This kind of protection order has obvious shortcomings, but in a city like Washington, D.C., where affordable housing is perhaps the greatest challenge to any social service agency,21 it can help create, as Naomi put it, “a line in the sand saying I’m taking this seriously. This is a warning.” Often, victims don’t
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