Countless tragic news stories involving the demise of black women have the familiar term “murder-suicide.” Why does it seem that black women suffer disproportionately from murder-suicide?

Denisha Montgomery Smith, 27, was found unresponsive in her Army barracks on August 9, 2022 in Germany, where she was stationed. Three weeks earlier, she told her family she was assaulted after a night out with squad members.

If you feel physically or verbally threatened by someone, one option you have is to file a protective order, also known as a restraining order. Here’s how to file a restraining order.