By ANN PIERCEALL

Herald-Whig Staff Writer

HANNIBAL, Mo. -- Amanda Thomas, the 27-year-old Hannibal woman allegedly murdered Saturday by former boyfriend Manuel Cazares, had taken out a full order of protection against him last year.

Cazares had violated the order of protection last month, and there was a history of domestic violence between the two. Thomas' family said she lived in fear for her life.

Advocates for victims of domestic violence say an order of protection is only as good as the enforcement it gets from the victim, law enforcement and prosecutors.

And even then if someone is determined to cause harm, injuries and even murder can occur.

Judy Edmonson, director of AVENUES, Northeast Missouri's domestic and sexual violence resource center, discussed in general the realities of an order of protection, emphasizing that it is a legal document.

"If it's not enforced, it's a piece of paper," Edmonson said. "It's not going to stop a knife. It's not going to stop a bullet. It's not going to stop a fist."

Edmonson stressed that a victim of domestic violence should develop a safety plan. She said that although there are no firm statistics, there is an "increased risk for a victim of domestic violence if she's moved on."

Preventing tragedies like the one that occurred to Thomas and the man who was with her, Carl Patrick Epley, 25, of New London, require a shift in societal attitudes.

"The majority of domestic violence cases do not escalate like (this one)," Edmonson said. "And most of the time, ex parte orders of protection work. But as a society, if we tolerate domestic violence, we're going to have murders."

Edmonson cited a recent local case in which a man had beaten a woman badly enough that she required surgery to repair a broken collarbone. The legal case was strong, but when it got to court, "the guy walked," she said bluntly.

She said domestic violence isn't just a matter for the courts or law enforcement.

"The community has to be more proactive about stopping domestic violence instead of reactive," she said. "It's not just a family matter. It's our matter."

Edmonson encourages people to learn about domestic violence so they are educated if they serve on a jury or are aware enough to call police when a fight next door escalates. And most of all, people have to listen to a victim who claims there's a problem.

"If a victim says, 'He's going to kill me,' listen. She's the expert. Trust her. Believe her and hear what she's saying," she said.

-- apierceall@whig.com/(573) 221-5879