NCJ Number
114455
Date Published
1988
Length
10 pages
Annotation
Interviews with 200 victims of violence committed by someone they knew provided information for an analysis of victims' perceptions of the adequacy of courts' responses to interpersonal disputes.
Abstract
The respondents included 125 victims whose cases went to criminal court in Charlotte, N.C., Los Angeles, and Minneapolis and 75 victims whose cases were diverted to mediation programs. The cases all involved misdemeanor assaults. More than two-thirds of the victims were injured, and one-fourth required medical attention. The court case processing ranged from rapid and traditional processing through a domestic relations court in Charlotte to the extensive use of mediation, as well as some use of traditional courts, in Minneapolis. Most victims were satisfied with the police. Overall, three-fifths of the victims in both the court and mediation samples felt well treated while in court or in mediation. Results showed more similarities than differences in the experiences of victims among the sites. Victims' satisfaction with case outcomes was similar in all three sites, because satisfaction was not correlated with the outcome. Instead, victims tended to be satisfied if the violence stopped and dissatisfied if it did not, regardless of the outcome. Continuation of hostilities after the case was closed by the criminal justice system was the exception rather than the rule, regardless of whether cases were referred to mediation or to court. However, some victims clearly need greater attention and intervention than is normally provided by either mediation or the court. 10 references.