NCJ Number
181839
Journal
European Journal on Criminal Policy and Research Volume: 6 Issue: 1 Dated: 1998 Pages: 37-57
Date Published
1998
Length
21 pages
Annotation
This article reports on a study of the service providers’ perspectives on what battered women face when entering the criminal justice system.
Abstract
Victim non-cooperation with the system can manifest itself in various ways and at several points in the process. The article reviews the literature on the criminal justice system’s responses to women-battering. It also describes the experiences and perceptions of service providers in Ohio concerning these responses and analyzes the findings according to factors that may affect service providers’ responses. Service providers’ responses portray a criminal justice system that exhibits biases against battered women as victims, is guided by stereotypical images of women, marriage, and the family and, consequently, treats abused women in a manner that is not conducive to cooperation with the system or following through with the case. Criminal justice officials often underestimate the gravity of battering and its impact on victims, tend to place responsibility on battered women for their victimization, and often discourage them from following through with their cases. Notes, references