An IPCA report released this week reveals how police, doubting a ‘hysterical’ woman’s claim that there was a protection order in place against her ex, decided she was in fact perpetrating ‘psychological abuse’ against him. It’s a pattern that goes back years, across the criminal justice system, writes Michelle Duff. These days, when your abuser turns up at your house even though you have a protection order against him, it’s hard to know what to do.