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Are you a victim?

If you are a victim of intimate partner violence, please visit the National Domestic Violence Hotline Exit Notice or call 1–800–779–SAFE (7233), 1–800–787–3224 (TTY).

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NIJ regularly publishes an updated Compendium of Research on Violence Against Women, which includes among sections on:

  • Arrest and Prosecution.
  • Offender Interventions.
  • Courts and the Criminal & Civil Justice Systems.
  • Protection Orders.

Practical Implications of Research

Practical Implications of Current Domestic Violence Research (2009) describes to law enforcement officers, prosecutors and judges the implications of research for day-to-day, real-world responses to domestic violence.

The Threat of Prosecution May Reduce Further Intimate Partner (Domestic) Violence

The threat of, or offer to drop, prosecution may provide leverage for abused women. For victim-initiated complaints, permitting victims to drop charges following an arrest significantly lowered the chance of new violence during and 6 months following the court appearance. These women also experienced less violence, less severe violence, and a longer delay before the onset of new violence.[1]

Next section: Batterer Intervention Programs Often Do Not Change Offender Behavior.

Notes

[1] Ford, D.A., and S. Breall. "Violence Against Women: Synthesis of Research for Prosecutors." Final report to the National Institute of Justice, 2000, NCJ 199660.

Date Entered: May 19, 2009