BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- A restraining order is supposed to keep a person away from you in the form of a legal injunction. It is most commonly used in reference to domestic violence, harassment, stalking or sexual assault.

In the case of the double homicide over the weekend in Oildale, there was a restraining order against the suspect, Robert Fuller, because of constant stalking and harassment, according to an attorney on the case.

Susan Annette Sowders married Robert Fuller in 2001. They went through domestic issues during that marriage and legally separated last August . It wasn't long after that Sowders filed the restraining order against her estranged husband.

According to court documents , Fuller harassed the family, made abusive threats, left numerous abusive phone messages and came on the property many times causing vandalism. Fuller was arrested at least three times for violating that restraining order before he was accused of killing her last Saturday.

However, legal experts said only a small percentage of domestic violence, harassment or stalking cases end in death and add that victims need to be diligent if someone is breaking a restraining order.

When the abuser does something that the court has ordered that person not to do, that is a violation of the order. The victim can ask the police or the court, or both, depending on the violation, to enforce the order. Legal experts said keep records of the incidents, get witnesses and stay in contact with law enforcement and in extreme cases the victim should relocate.