Abetting Batterers: What Police, Prosecutors, and Courts Aren't Doing to Protect America's Women, Updated Edition

Review
Coauthors Andrew Klein, an expert on the study of domestic violence, and Jessica Klein, a rape crisis counselor and victim advocate, provide a meticulous study of the domestic violence epidemic in America. The premise is that the safety of victims requires a more engaged and competent criminal justice system. Rich with statistics, state court cases, and a historical analysis of legislation, their thorough investigation argues that the police, prosecutors, and courts are not doing enough to protect victims. To support this claim, they assert that while victims are reaching out more than ever, they are met with inadequate services. The authors explain that although some states have made legislative progress, others are simply backtracking and thus encouraging abusers to remain destructive. Even with legislative progress, there is still a lack of commitment and competence by criminal justice practitioners to implement these statutes. The takeaway is that making perpetrators accountable for their actions is what works. The authors show how this is being done and offer recommendations as to how it can be put into practice elsewhere. VERDICT A solid choice for law students and researchers in the social sciences seeking a national evaluation of legislation on domestic violence issues and strategies for change. ― Library Journal
The Kleins, experts and advocates about domestic violence, address the failure of the criminal justice system to adequately confront domestic abuse. They note substantial progress in the reform of the system of laws that govern behavior, but progress in the effective use of these laws has been inconsistent and ineffective in most jurisdictions. The system of plea bargaining coupled with a continued tendency to perceive domestic violence as less ‘violent’ than non-domestic violence results in minimal punishments in cases of domestic abuse. The authors note that jurisdictions that have committed to the control of domestic abuse have developed effective programs. That is, the means and knowledge to control domestic abuse are usually present, but not applied. The Kleins are recognized as leading experts in this field, bringing a combined academic and practical approach to the assessment of the problem and to their recommendations for expansion of effective programs to other jurisdictions. The book is well written with effective use of case histories and is adequately referenced and indexed. For libraries serving practitioners or academic departments of criminal justice, political science, psychology, sociology, or social work. Summing Up: Recommended. All academic levels/libraries, as well as professionals in the field. ― Choice
Whatever the number, domestic violence victims remain far too many for a preventable crime. More and more victims of intimate partner violence are reaching out to police, prosecutors and judges only to be sorely disappointed, even betrayed. While laws and programs have multiplied over the last few decades to address domestic violence, the country is getting safer for almost everyone except for women who have, or have had, abusive male intimate partners. Andrew R. Klein and Jessica L. Klein look at the criminal justice response to domestic violence across America today, ranging from police to prosecutors and courtrooms across the nation.
Abetting Batterers reveals the troubling pattern of inattention and incompetence that compromises the safety of women and encourages their male abusers to continue their abuse and violence. Although criminal justice system agencies vary among cities, towns and counties within the same state they all too often relegate domestic violence to the backburners of the system, dismissing victims and ignoring even the most serious and chronic abusers. The variation reveals the real problem in preventing intimate partner violence lies in these agencies’ commitment and will, rather than their ability to do the job.
The authors unveil w