“That was one of the worst experiences in my life”: Domestic abuse victim-survivor experiences when going to court and their definitions of justice

• In Event: Sentencing in Domestic Abuse and Sex Crimes Cases

Abstract

The justice gap in domestic abuse – the large differential between reported domestic abuse crimes and crimes that lead to charges – is one of the biggest challenges faced by the criminal justice system in England and Wales. In the year ending March 2023 approximately 5% of the domestic abuse crimes recorded were charged, while more than half were closed with outcome 16 (when victims do not want any further police action) (ONS, 2023). Arguably, in terms of scale and harm, the justice gap represents the greatest failing of criminal justice worldwide.
In the small percentage of domestic abuse cases that go to court, victim-survivors often face complex challenges throughout the process – from preparation to sentencing stage - and may have different definitions of what it means to achieve justice. Drawing from 11 interviews with victim-survivors, this presentation will explore how they experienced the court process and what it meant for their lives.

Author

• Leticia Couto, University of Hull