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Victim Noncooperation in the Prosecution of Domestic Assault
Author(s) -
McLEOD MAUREEN
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
criminology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.467
H-Index - 139
eISSN - 1745-9125
pISSN - 0011-1384
DOI - 10.1111/j.1745-9125.1983.tb00268.x
Subject(s) - domestic violence , criminology , law enforcement , psychology , criminal justice , enforcement , economic justice , social psychology , law , political science , human factors and ergonomics , poison control , medical emergency , medicine
* * * In recent years increased attention has been focused on the response of the criminal justice system to domestic violence. Several studies have attributed the low rate of prosecution for spousal assaults to noncooperation on the part of police, prosecutors, and judges. A discussion of the role played by victim noncooperation in the prosecution process has been conspicuously absent. This article presents preliminary findings from a study of approximately 6,200 cases of domestic assaults reported to law enforcement authorities. The incidence and correlates of victim noncooperation are outlined at four decision points.