In a civil proceeding, the evidentiary
standard that a plaintiff must meet is proof by a preponderance of the
evidence, a more relaxed standard than the proof beyond a reasonable
doubt standard used in criminal proceedings. In addition, civil restraining
orders may reduce the fear of retaliation by perpetrators because the orders
are prescribed to prevent future abuse and serve to remind the offender
about future violations, whereas protective orders, issued simultaneously
with a criminal prosecution, are more likely to remind batterers about
punishment that is being inflicted and thus, invoke bitter emotions that can
lead to reprisal.