Victim Participation in Intimate Partner Violence Prosecution: Implications for Safety

Catherine Cerulli; Catherine L Kothari; Melissa Dichter; Steve Marcus; James Wiley; Karin V Rhodes

doi:10.1177/1077801214535105

Victim Participation in Intimate Partner Violence Prosecution: Implications for Safety

Violence Against Women. 2014 May;20(5):539-560. doi: 10.1177/1077801214535105. Epub 2014 Jun 2.

Authors

Catherine Cerulli¹, Catherine L Kothari², Melissa Dichter³, Steve Marcus⁴, James Wiley⁵, Karin V Rhodes⁶

Affiliations

¹ University of Rochester, NY, USA Catherine_Cerulli@urmc.rochester.edu.
² Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, USA.
³ Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Medical Center, USA.
⁴ Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Medical Center, USA University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA.
⁵ University of California, San Francisco, USA.
⁶ University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA.

PMID: 24894959
DOI: 10.1177/1077801214535105

Abstract

Are intimate partner violence (IPV) victims safer if they use the criminal justice system? Concerns about perpetrator retaliation, in the face of data that protection orders can reduce future harm, make it important to understand how victim utilization (calling 911, talking to the prosecutor, and proceeding with prosecution) affects subsequent safety. We hypothesized participation would improve victims' safety, measured by decreases in subsequent IPV-related 911 calls and/or emergency department visits. Findings support contact with the prosecutor's office was associated with reduction in police-reported IPV, regardless of the victim's wish to proceed. Policy implications support pro-prosecution strategies coupled with victim contact.

Keywords: intimate partner violence; prosecution; safety.