This article makes it sound easy to get a protective order. The magistrate basically laughed at me both times that I got brave enough to try. This is not easy! Especially in the good ole boy network of Craven County. God forbid your abusive husband is an attorney, law enforcement officer, doctor, or a golf buddy of any of the above. You're only options are to run away in the middle of the night and leave behind every thing you've worked your entire life for (including your children), or suck it up and take the punches.

Oh, and I'll also add - don't try calling the local 24-hour crisis line for domestic abuse on Christmas Day. The woman I talked to told me they weren't staffed on Christmas Day and gave me a toll free number to call that was out of order.