NCJ Number
182285
Journal
Violence and Victims Volume: 14 Issue: 4 Dated: Winter 1999 Pages: 427-444
Date Published
1999
Length
18 pages
Annotation
This prospective study explored a range of factors potentially predictive of domestic-violence victims' cooperation with the prosecution of their abusers.
Abstract
Over the last 20 years, diminishing tolerance for domestic violence has led to significant criminal justice reforms designed to facilitate the prosecution of abusers. Prosecutors, for example, have adopted policies that require cases to go forward even if the victim later has second thoughts about cooperating in the case. Although increasingly common, these "no drop" policies reflect a profound irony about domestic cases that is well known but little understood. The most formidable problem in prosecuting such cases is often the victim's own unwillingness to bring the abuser to justice. Although the current prospective study focused on interpersonal and institutional social support, it also investigated the influence of violence severity, victim demographic factors, and victim mental health characteristics, including the presence of depressive symptoms, emotional dependence on the abuser, and substance abuse. Findings show that tangible support, severity of violence in the relationship, and the presence of children in common with the abuser all significantly predicted victims' cooperation with the prosecution of their abusers. Substance abuse significantly predicted victims' noncooperation with prosecution. The research and policy implications of these findings are discussed. 6 tables and 51 references