Coercing Victim Participation in Domestic Violence Prosecutions

Abstract

The proliferation of coercive prosecution policies toward victims of domestic violence is premised on the notion that prosecution protects victims. However noble this criminal justice ideology, it is largely untested and may reflect an interest in defining prosecution for its practitioners rather than using prosecution on behalf of victims. This article examines recent coercive policies in light of both differing views on the prosecutorial role of victims and extant research evidence on the protective impact of mandatory prosecution.