Do Arrests and Restraining Orders Work?

Since empirical research on domestic violence began in the 1970s, it has become clear that without intervention, significant percentages of domestic violence cases escalate into more serious incidents. However, with the exception of cases resulting in homicides, there are no reliable criminal justice statistics that document the rates of serious domestic violence incidents. What, then, are the most effective means--in terms of safety and cost--of protecting victims? Featuring writings from noted contributors, Do Arrests and Restraining Orders Work? grapples with the markedly different results of research and analyses on the effectiveness of arrests and restraining orders. This probing volume examines the proper role of arrest and the degree to which the criminal justice system can rely on restraining orders to prevent domestic and other kinds of violence. Representing a wide array of research methods, the chapters include a variety of perspectives, including those from police, prosecutors, the judiciary, and probation officers. Timely and provocative, Do Arrests and Restraining Orders Work? asks the challenging questions that will help the criminal justice system move toward effective solutions. This volume is an excellent resource for students as well as researchers and academics in criminology and for a wide array of criminal justice professionals, including police management personnel, attorneys, and policymakers.

Eve Buzawa, Ph.D. is Professor Emerita in the School of Criminology & Justice Studies at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. She served as Chair of the School from 1995 – 2013, and Director of the School from September, 2013-June, 2016 when she retired. Dr. Buzawa received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Rochester and her Master′s and Doctoral degrees from the School of Criminal Justice, Michigan State University. Dr. Buzawa has authored and edited numerous books, journal articles, and monographs in the field of domestic violence.  She has also served as a Principal Investigator on several federally funded research projects as well as directing numerous state funded research and training projects. Dr. Buzawa’s expertise encompasses the issue of domestic violence in the United States and globally. She has served as a consultant, trainer, and speaker to numerous agencies and organizations throughout the world and was the recipient of a Fulbright Award in 2016. Dr. Buzawa is Past President of the Society of Police and Criminal Psychology, Past President of the Northeast Association of Criminal Justice Sciences, and past Board Member for the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences. Carl G. Buzawa is an attorney in private practice. Currently, he is Senior Vice President—Contracts, Legal, and Compliance at Textron Systems. He received his BA from the University of Rochester, his MA from the University of Michigan, and his JD from Harvard Law School. With Eve S. Buzawa, he is the coauthor of numerous books and articles on the topic of domestic violence.