Victim-Initiated Criminal Complaints for Wife Battery: An Assessment of Motives

• NCJ Number: 122802
• Author(s): D A Ford; M J Burke
• Date Published: 1987
• Length: 19 pages
• Grant Number(s): 86-IJ-CX-0012
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute of Justice (NIJ); US Dept of Justice NIJ Pub
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study presents initial findings from a research study designed to evaluate the deterrent impacts of alternative prosecution policies.

Abstract

Victims of conjugal violence initiate criminal charges against their mates for a variety of reasons and motivations. Victims are motivated by the need for protection, by feelings of revenge, by the need to proclaim their tolerance for further abuse, and by the desire to empower themselves in asserting their interests within the relationship. By misunderstanding motivations, criminal justice agents can create additional conflict for victims. For this study, victims of misdemeanor batteries were interviewed immediately after filing their complaints to learn about the circumstances which motivated them to prosecute. Analysis of responses from 272 victim complainants documents the incidence of different motives for prosecuting, describes how the motives interplay with victim expectations for case outcomes, and discusses their impact on the likelihood of victims dropping charges. 1 figure, 3 tables. (Author abstract modified)