The phrase “full faith and credit” is borrowed from the U.S. Constitution, which reads in part, “Full faith and credit shall be given in each state to the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state.” The 1994 Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) directs jurisdictions to give “full faith and credit” to valid orders of protection issued by other jurisdictions, meaning that orders of protection issued anywhere in the country are legally binding and enforceable nationwide. However, full faith and credit is rendered meaningless without reinforcement from the criminal justice system. Law enforcement, prosecutors and the judiciary must work in unison to uphold victims’ right to protection under VAWA; full faith and credit is only as effective as an officer’s ability to respond to victims appropriately. The article describes, among other aspects of VAWA, implications for law enforcement, requirements and procedures for on-scene enforcement, responsibilities of issuing and enforcing jurisdictions, policy approaches and possible connection with community policing. Resources