Intimate partner violence and the Western Australian justice system: A victim perspective

Background

This research involves interviewing female victims of intimate partner violence about their experiences with the Western Australian justice system (WAJS). The study focuses on females who have experienced abuse, including physical, emotional, sexual, financial and psychological abuse, by a current or previous intimate partner. The semi-structured interviews focus on victim experiences with police, lawyers and courts, and interviews will be coded using NVivo. While studies have examined the "mechanics" of the justice system’s response to intimate partner violence, there is little evidence about how victims perceive the WAJS. By describing the experiences victims have with the justice system's primary institutions, we can better determine whether the current system is meeting victims' needs.

Aim

This research aims to determine whether the WAJS meets victims' expectations. This research also hopes to establish if the experiences and interactions victims have with police, lawyers and the courts influence continual or future engagement with the WAJS.

Methods

The target population is female victims of intimate partner violence who have engaged with the WAJS. Flyers are in various counselling services, on domestic violence Facebook sites and at the Southern Communities Advocacy Legal Education Service (SCALES), and describe the study and the criteria for participation. The research involves conducting semi-structured interviews to understand the "lived experiences" of study participants. Engagement with the justice system must include involvement with police, duty or private lawyers and the courts, on an intimate partner violence case involving a current or previous partner. Interview data will be coded and evaluated using NVivo and then assessed alongside previous research.

Significance

This research hopes to convey to female victims of abuse that their experiences and opinions of the WAJS are important and valued. If published, this research aims to inform policymakers, service providers and those agencies that assist domestic violence victims of the experiences of victims who engage with the WAJS. By documenting the experiences of female victims of abuse, we can better understand which aspects of the system provide positive experiences for victims and which parts provide fewer positive experiences. Such information may benefit those justice systems that aim to assist victims of intimate partner abuse.

Project start date

November 2019

Expected completion date

November 2022