Saving precious time in getting protection

A couple falls in love, decides they want to spend their lives together and then seal their commitment with signatures on a marriage license.

But sometimes the affection dries up just like the ink on that license.

Then there are other papers to sign.

Filings for divorce.

And in the most chilling cases, signatures on an order of protection.

Women -- or men -- who have been assaulted by a spouse, boyfriend or girlfriend, or fear such violence, need this petition to keep them safe.

And it is important to quickly get this protection order in force.

Yet it can be a long and stressful process.

It's hard enough when you have to turn to the courts to prevent someone you once loved from approaching you with the intent of doing harm. But the stress is compounded by waiting and waiting for the paperwork to go through.

But DuPage and Kane counties have launched a program that cuts down on the amount of time a request for an order of protection is put in place.

On Tuesday, DuPage County unveiled a new online filing system. Modeled after a program implemented last year in Kane County, it allows those who need an emergency order of protection to get the process moving more efficiently. It speeds up the time between first filling out the paperwork and getting a judge to decide if an emergency order of protection should be granted. All it takes is access to the Internet.

In Kane County, the number of protective orders that were granted increased with the paperless system from 1,140 in 2006 to 1,600 in 2007.

With this program, no time is wasted when every minute counts in getting the help of the courts and law enforcement to prevent a person from seeking violent retribution for a break-up in a marriage or relationship.

Lake County intends to launch the same on-line petition filing once it gets funding to do so. All counties should have such a system.

Of course, no piece of paper -- whether filed by computer or hand -- can offer ironclad protection against violence. Too many times in the suburbs, we have seen women murdered or injured by former spouses or boyfriends who were supposed to keep their distance but got close enough to commit violence. Rigid enforcement of orders of protection and a rapid response to 911 calls of someone violating an order of protection are always going to be the best defense against someone doing harm. And those who violate these orders of protection must face the full wrath of the law.

But when women or men do everything right to try to protect themselves by seeking protective orders, they should not have to face a lengthy paperwork nightmare, all the while worrying while looking over their shoulder.

An online filing system that is fast and user-friendly will at least relieve them of the stress and fear that comes with waiting for something that allows them to take some control of their surroundings.