How to Convince Someone to Remove a Restraining Order
- 1). Seek counseling. Take the restraining order seriously, and avoid trying to have it removed without taking it as a major red flag that something has gone awry in your life and relationships. Get professional counseling to get to the bottom of any anger, bitterness, envy, or jealousy that might be plaguing you. Set a course of forgiving others and yourself for occurrences in the past and plotting a new healthy course for your future.
- 2). Set up a system of accountability. Find one or two people who you can truly express your deepest heart to, besides your counselor. Seek to have healthy, life-affirming relationships with these people and ask for input on how to improve yourself. Many support groups offer mentorship programs to help people receive input from people further down the path of rehabilitation.
- 3). Take slow steps to re-estabilish a relationship with the person who has placed the restraining order. Make a phone call, write a letter, or send an e-mail. Don't rush into this step until there is marked change in your life. Realize the format the relationship you are building must change from the way it was before and will likely be awkward at first. Give the person the space and freedom to say No, to refuse meetings with you, and to express their feelings.
- 4). Ask the person who has placed the order to speak with your friends, pastor, and anyone else who is in the know about the changes you have made in your life.
- 5). Apologize for your actions and ask for forgiveness. Use a phrase that acknowledges your actions like, "I'm sorry. I was wrong when I [insert issue]. Will you please forgive me?"
- 6). When it feels natural and not forced, ask for the order to be removed.
