Type:	Journal Article
Title:	The trend towards specialized domestic violence courts: improvements on an effective innovation
Other Titles:	Fordham law review
Authors:	Tsai, Betsy
Keywords:	Legal issues;Interagency work;Criminal justice responses;Specialist courts
Year:	2000
Publisher:	Fordham University School of Law
Citation:	68 (4), March 2000
Notes:	Discusses the failure of the legal system to protect women from violent partners, and the introduction of specialised domestic violence courts to handle cases in one centralised system. These courts use a therapeutic model utilising services to deal with the complex legal, social and psychological effects of domestic violence on women. Examines various models of these courts currently operating in the U.S, some of which include batterer counselling and group counselling for children who witness violence. Provides a history of how domestic violence has been (and in some areas, still is) traditionally dealt with by the justice system, which is reluctant to become involved in ‘family issues’. The new system utilises a comprehensive, integrated, interdisciplinary approach to co-ordinate community resources. Successful programmes are ones which control batterers by making them accountable, and empower women by providing advocacy and support. Little research has been undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness of the programmes and some of the criticisms are reviewed. Highlights additional steps which can be taken to further improve the programmes and proposes a model which draws on the positive elements of the other programmes.
URI:	https://anrows.intersearch.com.au/anrowsjspui/handle/1/12194
ISSN:	0015-704X
Appears in Collections:	Journal Articles

Items in ANROWS library are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.