title: Battered women's perceptions of civil and criminal court helpfulness: the role of court outcome and process.
abstract: Although most battered women seeking formal help have some contact with court, limited research exists on what they find helpful and harmful about these experiences. Using qualitative data from low-income, largely Black battered women, this study finds that issues related to court outcomes, such as case disposition and enforcement, are important to evaluations of helpfulness. More frequently mentioned, however, are court processes, including treatment by staff, process length, and public disclosure. Results highlight the importance of research and practice attending to issues beyond court outcomes, as well as the potential impact supportive treatment at court may have for victims' recovery.
authors.affiliation: Military Sexual Trauma Support Team, Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Mental Health Services, National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System,150 S. Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02130, USA. Margaret.bell@va.gov
authors.forename: Margret E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Bell
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Perez
authors.forename: Lisa A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Goodman
authors.forename: Mary Ann
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Dutton
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D018585:Battered Women / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000523:psychology*; D003416:Criminal Law / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D012944:Social Support; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D014481:United States