Most every city in the US has an organization that runs shelters and support (legal, financial, emotional, etc.) for women who are the victims of domestic violence. She absolutely, positively should NOT rely on police and restraining orders for protection from domestic violence. If there are children involved, police reports and restraining orders can be important to show to a family court judge in a custody hearing (other side will point to lack of police reports/restraining orders as evidence that there was no abuse or that it was mutual combat). But if there are no kids, police and the courts are pretty useless especially in smaller jurisdictions where the abuser has some pull in the community. Groups that help victims of domestic violence are pretty amazing in their ability to provide complete services to help women get away from the abuser and make a fresh start.