hi Karene,
First permit me to agree with both Anita and Pearce’s responses; I believe you should take them to heart and strive to answer Anita’s 2 questions, and indeed, do bone up on understanding the process for getting a Restraining Order (aka., Order of Protection).
In reading your post, I sense that you may be feeling some guilt about the prospect of leaving this man that needs to be addressed. I also believe you know in your head why feeling guilty about ending this relationship is irrational. After all, how can a person feel guilty for wanting out of a toxic relationship?
But the heart feels what it feels and it has to be addressed, and that’s the only point I want to emphasize with you Karene. There are tons of techniques that can be uncovered in simple research that will help in putting feelings of guilt in their proper perspective. Whether you make that a pre or a post-breakup activity is up to you; I suggest that it be tackled quickly.
I look forward to seeing how this turns out Karene.
Respectfully,
Enzo