Domestic violence and the criminal justice system: An empirical study on the response by police and prosecutors to domestic violence in two communities in British Columbia.

摘要

The current study examines the needs, expectations, and experiences of domestic violence victims in turning to the Criminal Justice System for assistance. The experience of these victims typically result in their reluctance to proceed with criminal charges. A common strategy by these victims in the court setting is to recant their prior statement provided to the police during the investigative stage.;In consideration of the incidents involving uncooperative victims, the application of the so-called K.G.B. decision is examined in tracking all reported domestic assault cases in two separate police communities policed by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in British Columbia in the calendar year of 1998, five years after the K.G.B. decision. The examination of these cases included the use of K.G.B. statements by the police and prosecution and the incidents involving non-cooperation by victims of domestic violence.;The findings of the quantitative data analysis indicate that there is a positive correlation between victim non-cooperation and the substantive charge being terminated with a stay of proceedings by the Crown Counsel. In examining nearly 300 cases between the two police jurisdictions, K.G.B. statements were never utilized by the police or prosecution. The implications of these findings are then discussed. (Abstract shortened by UMI.).