Procedural Justice in Criminal Justice System Interactions with Domestic Violence Victims: Shaping Research Going Forward

• In Event: Focus on the Victim. Victim-centered Approaches to Understanding and Addressing Intimate Partner Violence

Abstract

Researchers, policymakers, and practitioners in the Violence Against Women (VAW) field continue to search for effective approaches to prevent and intervene in domestic violence (DV) cases through the criminal justice (CJ) system response so that victim outcomes are improved. One emerging area of focus is integrating procedural justice (PJ) approaches by law enforcement and court officers toward DV victims. Although field trainings on PJ have been implemented on a piecemeal basis, generating anecdotal positive enthusiasm, more research is need to examine links between PJ delivered and DV victim outcomes.

This project: 1) examines fit between DV needs and PJ approaches in CJ response, including interdisciplinary synthesis of previous PJ research across a range of fields applicable to DV. How should PJ be defined for DV research? What elements must be delivered in a PJ approach? How might those factors best be measured in DV research? 2) systematically examines empirical studies directly relevant to PJ delivery within the CJ response to DV victims. It includes results obtained, consideration of study methods and definitions used, discussion of future research needed into victim outcomes to properly assess PJ approaches in the CJ response to DV victims. Recommendations for policy, practice, and research are generated.

Authors

• Jennifer Lynne Holmes, National Institute of Justice / Florida State University

• Bethany Backes, National Institute of Justice