Mason  🏃‍♂️ ✂️

The SVU sergeant who interviewed me directed me to a non-profit for help obtaining a civil restraining order. I left several messages but was never able to get them on the phone. I don't want to pick on the good people doing that work, but it's supplementary, not an alternative.

I did eventually obtain a civil restraining order — after several months and three court appearances. But because I had filed a police report early, I was *also* much more quickly given a criminal protective order — with stronger protections and no hassle on my end.

In order to get the civil restraining order, I needed someone to serve my stalker with notice. The same SFPD sergeant who handled my criminal case freely offered to do this for me. He returned my calls. He encouraged me to call if I ever felt I was in danger.

I wish I could publicly share this officer's name, because he was my champion and he deserves recognition for what he does for women and other vulnerable people in SF. But it's 2020, and it's twitter, and I know I can't do that.

One final thing: going to the police protected me, but it also gave me the opportunity to provide evidence critical to some counts concerning other victims. My stalker is going to trial on 11 total charges. Only two of them concern me.

Want to share, had a similar personal experience with a domestic dispute between me and my father and witnessed a situation similar to yours between two of my roommates. Police called after days of arguing turned into hitting and the physical one threatened to kill herself.

Got a police report after she fled the house that later helped him get a restraining order. Sherriff offered to serve it for us but she was hiding and we didn't know where to find her so he put a BOLO on the car she had taken.

The whole situation was extremely stressful for me as it was, so I can only imagine how bad it was for him, and I don't even want to imagine trying to get through it without help from police.