Strategies for Confronting Domestic Violence - A Resource Manual (UN, 1993, 130 p.)

(introduction...)

Preface

Introduction

A. Domestic violence: A worldwide concern

B. How this Manual came about

C. Focus of the Manual

I. Understanding the problem

A. Nature and extent of domestic violence

B. Effects of domestic violence

C. The causes of domestic violence

D. Domestic violence and family privacy

II. Using the law to respond to domestic violence

A. Domestic violence: The legal solution

B. Arguments for and against the criminalization of domestic violence

C. Policy approaches

D. Provisions in family law for divorce or separation

E. Other provisions in family law

III. Improving the criminal justice system

A. Role of the police

B. Strategies to improve police handling of domestic violence

(introduction...)

1. Entry to private premises

2. Powers of arrest

3. Bail

C. Policy guidelines for police action

(introduction...)

1. Use of special police units to deal with domestic violence

2. Crisis intervention

3. Police investigation of incidents of domestic violence

4. Cooperation between the police and other sectors

D. Prosecution of cases of domestic violence

(introduction...)

1. Special prosecution units and separate courts for domestic violence cases

2. Strategies to improve victim support by prosecutors

3. Mandatory prosecution procedure

4. Prevention against charges being dropped

5. Protection of victims testifying

6. Sentencing strategies to deter a perpetrator from repeating the offence

7. Treatment programmes

8. Alternate measures to prosecution

9. Mediation

10. Community-based strategies

E. Gun control

IV. Working together

A. An interdisciplinary approach is required to solve the problem of domestic violence

B. Improved coordination is required

(introduction...)

1. Community-based groups

2. Inter-agency groups

3. Government action

4. Victim involvement

5. Working together

V. Responding to victims

(introduction...)

A. Responses of the justice system

B. Responses of practitioners

(introduction...)

1. Emergency measures

2. Beyond short-term emergency measures

C. Children as victims of wife assault

VI. Working with perpetrators

(introduction...)

A. Treatment programmes

(introduction...)

1. Victim safety

2. Responsibility of perpetrators

B. Education programmes and resources

VII. Training practitioners

(introduction...)

A. When should training begin

(introduction...)

1. Pre-service education

2 In-service training

B. Training goals

1. The improvement of awareness and understanding

2 The development of high levels of sensitivity, skills and expertise

3. Communication skills

4. Identifying the problem: Detection

5. Assessing the situation

6. Taking action

7. Initiating the process: Reporting

8. Appropriate assistance for victims and perpetrators: Referrals

9. Getting the facts: Investigation

10. The involvement of the justice system: Prosecution and sentencing

11. The involvement of the justice system: After sentencing

12. Helping victims and perpetrators: Education

VIII. Preventing domestic violence

A. The need to stop domestic violence

B. Education may be the key to stopping domestic violence

C. Prevention strategies

D. Raising public awareness

(introduction...)

1. Public education campaigns

2. Media campaigns

3. National, Government-sponsored campaigns

4. Local public education campaigns

5. Combined national and local public education campaigns

6. Focused education campaigns

E. Family life education

F. Elderly and disabled women

IX. Gathering and sharing information

(introduction...)

A. Respect for the rights of victims and perpetrators

B. Official reporting systems

C. Gathering data at a national level

D. Respect for cultural differences

E. Specialized community-based research

F. Research on domestic violence

G. Research by institutions

H. Research priorities

I. Pilot projects

J. Cross-cultural research

K. Evaluation of existing projects

L. Sharing information

M. National strategies

N. Technical and financial assistance offered by the United Nations

Notes

Back Cover