NCJ Number
175915
Date Published
1996
Length
186 pages
Annotation
Criminal justice intervention in spouse abuse cases in the Yukon Territory of Canada was studied with respect to its effectiveness and impact, the potential limitation of mandatory arrest and charging policies, and alternative models of criminal justice intervention in domestic assault cases.
Abstract
The Yukon was chosen due to its small population, its significant population of native First Nations people, the jurisdiction of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police throughout the Territory, and willingness of the Territorial government and First Nations to take part in the study. Information was collected by means of interviews with criminal justice personnel, social service personnel, and First Nations representatives; victim and offender interviews; and group interviews of predominantly First Nations individuals. Findings indicated basic support for the concept of mandatory charging, but opinion was divided over whether mandatory charging should lead to mandatory prosecution. In addition, the priority needs of spousal assault victims were to be treated with concern and interest and to be protected. Participants gave little feedback to suggest that the mandatory charge policy in place for more than a decade has encouraged the reporting of spousal assault. The First Nations participants had different responses from those of other participants on most topics. Findings also indicated that the speed of court processing, the enforcement of orders by probation, and the availability of offender and victim treatment are the main weaknesses in the criminal justice response to spouse assault. Tables, footnotes, appended background information and additional results, and 52 references