Effects of Victims' Experiences with Prosecutors on Victim Empowerment and Re-occurrence of Intimate Partner Violence. Final Report

摘要

Recent results of the national victimization survey indicate that about 85% victims of intimate partner violence are women. Such victims are often reluctant to participate fully in the prosecution of their abuser. In response to this reluctance, prosecutors across the nation have adopted no-drop or evidence-based policies. These policies, in theory, call for the prosecution of all cases of family violence if there is legal evidence to support such prosecution, regardless of the wishes or desires of the victim. The goals of the victim in invoking the criminal justice system, often by calling the police to end the immediate threat of violence, may not be compatible with the goals of the prosecution. Thus, the effects of such policies on victims empowerment are in question. This study identified the types of actions taken by prosecutors in two separate court jurisdictions, one of which had a no-drop policy operating. Prosecutors actions were classified into five distinct types that varied on the degree to which they allowed victims to exercise choice and coerced victims into participating in court processes. The five types of actions taken by prosecutors were minimal, supportive, persuasive, choice, and coercive.