Web resource:	http://www.learningtoendabuse.ca/sites/default/files/pub_struthers2001.pdf
Type:	Journal Article
Title:	A vague and dangerous dance: the politics of justice for domestic assault victims in a rural county
Authors:	Struthers, Marilyn
Keywords:	Criminal justice responses
Year:	2001
Publisher:	Centre for Research on Violence Against Women and Children
Notes:	General Overview: This Canadian paper reports on a participatory action research project based on the detailed story telling of six abused women whose partners were charged with a domestic violence offence. Discussion: This study explores the experiences of six women whose partners were charged with a criminal offence against them. In all cases, the event that led to the charges was not the first instance of violence, and the violence continued after the court proceedings ended. Women reported that they lacked information about the criminal justice system and were required to make quick decisions in the absence of this information. They also reported that professionals within the system often lacked information about previous convictions and that access, restraining and probation orders were sometimes in conflict. The failure of the court process to end the violence meant that women were less likely to report further instances to the police. The women recommended better coordination and information flows within the criminal justice system, fewer delays and consequences for breaches of court orders. They called for better explanations of procedures and more time to make choices. They suggested that the system and the penalty should take into account the entire history of violence, not just the incident charged. The system should focus on making men responsible for violence, instead of attempting to change women's behaviour. The principal finding is that the criminal proceedings did not end the violence and the women were reluctant to participate in the criminal justice system again.
URI:	https://anrows.intersearch.com.au/anrowsjspui/handle/1/13214
Physical description:	44 p.
Appears in Collections:	Journal Articles

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