Most communities have “womens advocates” situated in the courthouse that help women complete the required forms... using the correct legal buzzwords in their descriptions to achieve the desired legal results. The police initially counsel the “victims” as to the prefered process and distribute appropriate materials for the victims to follow.
In our state, they are called "victim's advocates" and they are a part of the prosecuting attorney's office. They help the victim (male or female) get through the whole "court" thing. They assist with restitution, they explain how to get a No Contact (different from a PPO- a No Contact order is usually part of the terms of the bail/bond, and it's an automatic for violent or economic crimes) lifted (it takes quite a bit of work on the aggressor's part, again, male or female) to get a no contact order lifted.
As a rule, victim's advocates do not help fill out PPOs. No one in the courthouse (except the prosecutor and her assistant prosecutor)is allowed to give out legal advice...and telling someone what buzzwords to use to be sure and get the PPO granted is giving legal advice.
The ones who actually do give out legal advice (but no one seems to mind) are the women's shelters. They advocate big time for their women.
In some cases, I agree, going the PPO way is overkill, and in some instances does put gas to the fire in an already flammable situation.
As for the guy who ticked me off this am-I can see why he's upset. Ridiculous! but for me, working where I do, most PPOs are a great thing...I hate murder trials! And, even tho I do conceal carry, every day, I don't think "she didn't have a gun, so she had it coming" is a viable defense.