Web resource:	https://academic.oup.com/btcint/
Type:	Journal Article
Title:	Understanding the impact of prior abuse and prior victimization on the decision to forgo criminal justice assistance in domestic violence incidents: a life-course perspective
Other Titles:	Brief treatment and crisis intervention.
Authors:	Hotaling, Gerald T Byrne, James Buzawa, Eve
Keywords:	Specialist courts;Interagency work;Criminal justice responses
Year:	2007
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Citation:	7, February 2007
Notes:	In this US article, the authors identify the factors that make victims of domestic violence less likely to report re-victimisation, and make proposals for reform. Objective: This study was conducted in Quincy, Massachusetts, where the police, district attorney, probation system and judges have developed an integrated, best practice system of full enforcement of the law regarding domestic violence offences. The research investigated reasons for victims reporting and not reporting re-victimisation. Methods: The researchers drew on multiple sources of data: the results of a survey of 118 women who had been victims of offenders prosecuted in the Quincy court, along with information from the police, prosecution, court files, batterer treatment programs, criminal histories and civil restraining order registry. Results: Of the 118 women, 58 experienced a new incident but only 26 reported the incident. The authors found that the most important predictors of non-reporting are the victim's belief that she had no voice or rights with criminal justice officials; the victim having reported sexual abuse prior to age 18; the offender having been charged with a drug offence; a higher number of prior restraining orders against the offender; and a higher number of prior violence-related criminal charges. Conclusion: The authors suggest that a new approach is needed that does not rely on the victim's willingness to report. In this new approach, police would talk with offenders and directly monitor their behaviour, taking responsibility for detecting and reporting re-victimisation out of the hands of the victim. Offenders with substance abuse problems would have participation in treatment programs made a condition of community release, and compliance would be actively monitored. Victims, particularly those who have experienced serial abuse over a lifetime, would be offered more extensive psychological support and family crisis intervention. The authors suggest that integrated domestic violence courts dealing with criminal charges, restraining orders and family law matters, may improve service to victims. They note, however, that batterer programs have not yet proved effective. [Permission to reprint abstract provided by OUP]
URI:	https://anrows.intersearch.com.au/anrowsjspui/handle/1/12900
ISSN:	14743310
Appears in Collections:	Journal Articles

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