Evaluating Contact Modality on Victim Cooperation for Intimate Partner Violence Cases

• In Event: Strategies and Challenges in Providing Support to Victims

Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a pervasive public health concern, affecting approximately one in three women. Despite its widespread impact, most IPV cases go unreported, and even when they enter the criminal-legal system, they encounter several challenges, often resulting in low prosecution and conviction rates. A key factor contributing to this attrition is victim reluctance to engage in the legal process, commonly referred to as victim cooperation. While the role of victim cooperation in IPV prosecution is well established, there is little empirical research on how the mode and frequency of communication affect cooperation levels. The present study examines the role of contact modality by victim advocates in shaping victim cooperation for IPV cases prosecuted in a small Midwestern city between 2020 and 2025. This study fills a crucial gap by examining how contact modality impacts victim cooperation, ultimately contributing to the broader discourse on case attrition and prosecutorial outcomes in IPV cases. Furthermore, a discussion of limitations, future research directions, and policy implications are presented.

Author

• Brittany Acquaviva, Ball State University