WUNRN

http://www.wunrn.com

Women's Justice Center

http://justicewomen.com/handbook/index.html

rdjustice@monitor.net

Advocating for Women in the Criminal Justice System

in Cases of Rape, Domestic Violence and Child Abuse

This online handbook is a work in progress. Some of the
chapters in this handbook are linked and available to you now.
And others will be added as we complete them.

Table of Contents
	Introduction
	A Word on Justice for Women
Part IMapping the Obstacles to Criminal Justice for Women

Introduction
The Pivotal Role of the Criminal Justice System in Stopping Violence Against Women
The Problem: Systematic Denial of Protection and Justice to Women
Six Principal Obstacles to Equal Protection and Justice for Women
1.	Near Absolute Police and Prosecutorial Discretion
2.	Institutionalized Sexism and Racism
3.	The Absence of Societal Mechanisms for Controlling the Criminal Justice System
4.	The Cooptation of Victim Advocates and of Rape and Domestic Violence Crisis Centers
5.	The Invisibility of Denial of Equal Protection and Justice
6.	The Error of Ignoring District Attorney Powers

Part IIISecond Line Advocacy: Strategies for Correcting Inadequate Criminal Justice Response
	Introduction
	Advocacy Strategies and Options
		Face-to-Face Meetings with the Authorities
		Put It in Writing! Put it in Writing! Put it in Writing!
		Monitor, Uncover, and Enter Evidence into the Case Yourself
		Introduction
		Part 1 ~ Tracking and Evaluating Evidence
		Part 2 ~ Uncovering Additional Evidence
		Part 3 ~ Gather and Enter the Evidence into the Case Yourself
		Take It to the Courthouse Steps
		Use Community Powers Outside the Criminal Justice System
		Go to the press
		Organize and Demonstrate