NCJ Number
95706
Date Published
1985
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This report summarizes a survey, conducted in Chicago and its suburbs, which examined the criminal justice system response to battered women and proposed some solutions to the problem of domestic violence.
Abstract
Data came from nonstructured interviews with police patrol officers and supervisors at 6 sites, with 9 victims who had no police contact, and 29 victims who had contacted police. Directors and staff members from the major service programs for battered women in the area and from 20 other agencies dealing with victims were also interviewed. The interview responses confirmed previous findings that interspousal battery is underreported, that police attitudes affect interactions with victims, and that court response and police training contribute to problems in police responses to domestic violence. Many officers routinely acted in ways contrary to victims' needs and outside the intention of the law. The role of prosecutors and courts was continually cited as a factor limiting police involvement. Police officers most often used mediation as the initial response. Based on the survey data, the Chicago Law Enforcement Study group made recommendations for the police relating to interspousal violence, the filing of charges, and officer training. For the court system, recommendations were for stronger sentences and routinely ordered counseling. Service providers are suggested to increase victim services and conduct public information campaigns about victims' rights. Additional information sources and three readings are listed.