The police response has improved dramatically in the last few decades. Police were
reluctant to do anything in domestic violence calls, often sympathizing with the offender.
Today, many jurisdictions have police supervision in the eviction of an abuser, inform the
abused person of their rights, have special domestic violence prevention officers who help
assist the abused person in getting a safety plan together. In addition, there is greater
awareness of violence between partners of the same sex as well as with couples who are
not married.
Prosecutors often discouraged filing charges in domestic violence cases due to the
perception that the victim would not proceed with the case. Now prosecutors are more
aware of the reasons that victims don’t proceed—fear of retaliation, manipulation by the
offender, and other forms of intimidation. Some jurisdictions have a no-drop approach,
wherein prosecutors can proceed without the victim’s testifying by using 911 recordings,
eyewitness testimony, police reports, emergency room reports, and statements made by
the abuser.
Judges also had a tendency to side with the abuser, as most judges are male. Currently,
judges have many options available to them to protect victims of domestic violence. In
addition, there are more avenues for a victim’s voice to be heard in the process, such as
acceding to their wishes in terms of setting bail, speeding up cases by avoiding
continuances, and issuing orders of protection or restraining orders.