Citation

Cerulli C, Kothari CL, Dichter M, Marcus S, Wiley J, Rhodes KV. Violence Against Women 2014; 20(5): 539-560.

Affiliation

University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1077801214535105

PMID

24894959

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.

Language: en