Is a petitioner allowed to be absent from court if represented by attorney in domestic violence case?

Petitioner filed a TRO. When case first came for hearing, Petitioner went on vacation and her attorney appeared while defendant appeared via telephone. Defendant asked twice for case to be dismissed but was ignored by Commissioner. Case was delayed for later in the day because Commissioner said this may need testimony even though attorney gave testimony from Petitioner's DV100. Defendant questioned the statements on the DV100. Commissioner stated to attorney their client was supposed to be prepared to move forward. Commissioner delayed the case. 3 hours later when Defendant called back in the Commissioner set a new date even though Defendant asked twice to be dismissed because Petitioner did not appear in court. The second court date attorney, after hearing the defendants defense, was allowed to submit additional exhibits to make a defense against the defenses defense.