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Cited by 23Intimate Partner and Family ViolenceStalking, Cyberstalking, and HarassmentSexual Assault and Victimization Studies

Domestic and Family Violence, Mental Health and Well-Being, and Legal Engagement

Open access
Douglas, Heather·2018·Psychiatry, Psychology and Law
DOI 10.1080/13218719.2017.1396865PMC PMC6818274
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Abstract

This article reports on the findings from a qualitative study involving 65 women who have engaged with the legal system after experiencing domestic and family violence. The interviewees report on the increased levels of stress and trauma they experience as a result of impending court appearances, in preparation for cross-examination and in negotiating court orders and on the actions they take to address this stress. While many reported that they sought help from mental health practitioners, some women reported choosing not to seek medical assistance for, and hiding, mental health concerns and self-medicating in an effort to avoid negative court outcomes. In light of the women's experiences, this paper considers policy implications and practical considerations for legal practitioners and judicial officers involved in cases involving domestic and family violence.

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  • Survivor-mothers of IPV have reported legal abuse and its consequences to journalists and qualitative researchers for decades.

    “Protective mothers who have survived IPV have been disclosing experiences of legal abuse and its devastating consequences for themselves and their children to journalists and qualitative researchers for decades (Coy et al., 2015; Douglas, 2018a; Elizabeth, 2017; Miller & Smolter, 2011; Rivera et al., 2018; Watson & Ancis, 2013).”

    From Coercive Control in the Courtroom: the Legal Abuse Scale (LAS) (2023) · cites this paper as Douglas, 2018a

    The Results (page unavailable) report women describing partners’ use of court proceedings to continue abuse, and the Discussion reports harm to women’s mental health and well-being. The Method dates this paper’s interviews to 2014–2017; it does not establish disclosures to journalists over decades or clearly document consequences for children from legal abuse. (LLM, conf=0.84)

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  • One set of tactics prolongs legal cases, sometimes for years, through contempt charges and unfounded accusations leading to investigations.

    “One set of tactics serves to prolong legal cases (Douglas, 2018a; Miller & Smolter, 2011; Przekop, 2011; Watson & Ancis, 2013) -sometimes for multiple years – through actions such as charges of contempt and unfounded accusations, which can lead to extensive investigations (Watson & Ancis, 2013).”

    From Coercive Control in the Courtroom: the Legal Abuse Scale (LAS) (2023) · cites this paper as Douglas, 2018a

  • Anecdotal accounts indicate legal abuse may produce grave mental health consequences for some survivors.

    “Further, harrowing anecdotal accounts indicate that at least for some, legal abuse may produce grave consequences for survivors’ mental health (Douglas, 2018b; Gutowski & Goodman, 2020; Toews & Bermea, 2017; Ward, 2016).”

    From Coercive Control in the Courtroom: the Legal Abuse Scale (LAS) (2023) · cites this paper as Douglas, 2018b

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Cited by

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Authors
Douglas, H.
Affiliations
The University of Queensland (AU)
Corresponding author
Douglas, Heather
ORCID
Douglas, Heather
Venue
Psychiatry, Psychology and Law
Publisher
Informa UK Limited
Published
2017-11-26
Volume
25
Issue
3
Pages
341-356
ISSN
  • 1321-8719 (ISSN-L)
  • 1934-1687
DOI
10.1080/13218719.2017.1396865
PMC
PMC6818274
OpenAlex
W2770055392
Cited by
23
References
2
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 1 · 2019: 2
FWCI
0.61
Type
journal article
Language
en
Update notices
correction (2017-12-07)
Open access
Locations
  • Psychiatry Psychology and Law (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
Australian Research Council's Future Fellowship scheme (FT140100796)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Health › Intimate Partner and Family Violence
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Stalking, Cyberstalking, and Harassment
  • Social Sciences › Gender Studies › Sexual Assault and Victimization Studies
Keywords
domestic and family violence, stress and trauma, mental health help-seeking, self-medication, court orders, cross-examination, lawyers, court officials, policy implications, well-being

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