Promising Practices: Improving the Criminal Justice System's Response to Violence Against Women

• NCJ Number: 172217
• Author(s): M B Malefyt; K M Littel; A H Walker
• Editor(s): J A Kuriansky
• Date Published: 1998
• Length: 549 pages
• Grant Number(s): 95-MU-MU-K020
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women
• Corporate Author: Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/NCJRS; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Policy/Procedure Handbook/Manual
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This manual was prepared to help jurisdictions adapt and tailor approaches to their unique needs and circumstances as they develop coordinated responses to violence against women.

Abstract

The manual is specifically intended to help communities assess their current responses to domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking; to identify systemic problems and gaps in service delivery to victims; to develop and implement strategies that resolve problems and improve responses; and to evaluate the effectiveness of changes in responses, based on victim safety and offender accountability. Initial chapters cover victim safety planning, victim rights and notification, roles of law enforcement and prosecution in domestic violence cases, victim services, court policies to promote victim safety and access to courts, and coordinated community responses. Appendixes contain additional information on training approaches to help practitioners be responsive to victim needs, criminal justice system assessment and practitioner tools, and programs for domestic violence victims. Publication and resource contact information is also included. References and endnotes