NCJ Number
137332
Date Published
1992
Length
7 pages
Annotation
Connecticut's Family Violence Prevention and Response Act of 1986 created Family Violence Intervention Units within the Family Division of the Superior Court.
Abstract
These units accept referrals of family violence cases from judges or prosecutors and are responsible for preparing reports for presentation by the next court date, providing or arranging for services to victims and offenders, and administering service contracts. The 1986 act requires that monthly statistical summaries of Intervention Unit activity be submitted to the Connecticut Department of Public Safety which compiles an annual report. From October 1, 1986 through September 30, 1991, 139,343 cases were referred to Family Violence Intervention Units. The number of cases referred was 29.5 percent greater in 1990-1991 than in 1986-1987. Half of the cases involved unmarried couples, spouses and former spouses accounted for 31.4 percent of the cases, and relatives were responsible for 20.5 percent of the caseload. Most cases involved misdemeanor charges. In more than 75 percent of the cases, the most serious charge was assault in the third degree (34.1 percent), breach of peace (24 percent), or disorderly conduct (20.6 percent). Two-thirds of the cases involved nonsexual physical violence. In two-thirds of the cases, State Attorneys decided not to prosecute the arrested person. 5 tables and 1 figure