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Mel Gibson / Oksana Grigorieva Restraining Order Creates Confusion

By Kamika Dunlap on June 25, 2010 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

A confusing legal battle between Mel Gibson and Oksana Grigorieva, the mother of his seven-month-old daughter, is escalating.

The dueling couple appeared to have filed restraining orders against each other this week in the wake of a major blowup, E! News reports. But, that may only be half-true.

Oksana Grigorieva apparently went to court seeking an emergency domestic violence restraining order, alleging Mel Gibson, 54, got physical with her.

However, it's also been reported that Gibson filed a temporary restraining order against Grigorieva, along with a notice about a forthcoming court hearing and a notice of visitation rights and child custody. Oksana Grigorieva's lawyer denied that there is any such order in place.

Gibson ended his 30 year marriage and last year after having an affair with 40-year-old Russian musician Oksana Grigorieva. The couple has a daughter which they intended to raise together, but their relationship has become strained.

In general, restraining orders are also called orders of protection.

Studies have shown that sometimes issuing a protective order or arresting a person who commits an act of domestic violence does reduce future incidents of domestic violence. When perpetrators of domestic violence see that the police and the court system will treat domestic violence seriously, many persons who commit domestic violence may be deterred from future violence.

All 50 states and the District of Columbia have allowances for orders of protection. An order of protection can:

  • Prohibit the abuser from contacting, attacking, striking, telephoning, or disturbing the peace of the victim;
  • Force the abuser to move from a residence shared with the victim;
  • Order the abuser to stay at least 100 yards away from the victim, his or her place of residence, and place of employment;
  • Order the abuser to attend counseling; and
  • Prohibit the abuser from purchasing a firearm.

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