Domestic Violence and the Criminal Justice System 

Funding: Ministry of Justice and Public Security 

Project period: 2020–2024

Researchers: Jane Dullum (project manager), Elisiv Bakketeig, Anja Bredal, Kari Stefansen 

The project is based on the fact that the use of the penal system to uncover and prevent domestic violence can be challenging. Many cases are closed, and there can be high thresholds for the police and the prosecuting authority to intervene in these cases. Many victims are also hesitant to report the abuser to the police. In addition, we have scarce knowledge on the courts’ handling of these cases, including the characteristics of the cases that come to court, the penalties that are imposed, and how this may have changed over time. We also know little about possible alternatives to punishment, and if restorative justice can be a viable route in these cases.  

The overall objective with this project is to gain more comprehensive knowledge about the criminal justice system’s handling of cases of domestic violence. The project will focus particularly on practices in the prosecution authorities and in the courts, but the project will also explore to what extent restorative justice can be a suitable alternative to ordinary criminal proceedings. The project will also gain more insight into why cases of domestic violence are challenging for the criminal justice system, with particular emphasis on the high number of closures. Thus, the project will provide new knowledge and a strengthened basis for the discussions on the use of the criminal justice system in cases of domestic violence.  

The project is based on interviews with representatives for the prosecution authorities, the police, and the Norwegian mediation boards. In addition, a number of sentences from the courts will be collected and analyzed. Written material, such as policy documents and white papers, also forms an important background for the project.