Victim-survivors’ experiences of the criminal justice process in domestic abuse cases: exploring the gap between expectation and reality

Abstract

The development of new laws, policies, and procedures signals progress in addressing domestic abuse. However, when reforms operate within institutions influenced by gendered stereotypes and limited recognition of women’s agency, the experience of justice may remain constrained. This thesis explores women’s engagement with the criminal justice system in Northern Ireland following experiences of domestic abuse. Drawing on critical feminist theory, labelling theory, and a feminist-informed procedural justice framework, it examines whether criminal justice processes provide victim-survivors with the safety, recognition, and participation they expect or need.

Based on in-depth interviews with twelve women and a range of practitioners supporting women through the justice process, the study adopts a qualitative, feminist methodological approach to centre women’s voices and lived experiences. The findings are presented across three stages of justice system involvement: navigating the decision to report abuse, the courtroom experience, and sentencing and post-court protection. Analysis highlights that while some women experienced moments of validation and protection, many encountered delays, procedural exclusion, disbelief, and retraumatisation. Their accounts demonstrate that justice goals often extend beyond punishment to include recognition of harm, safety, and meaningful participation.

The thesis contributes to feminist criminology by applying a feminist-informed procedural justice lens in the context of Northern Ireland. It conceptualises justice as a relational, participatory process centring on care, voice, and dignity. The study argues for the need to reimagine safety beyond providing physical protection after victimisation. Safety needs to be integrated into processes and include emotional, procedural, and relational security for victim-survivors throughout the justice process. This includes trusting women to define their own safety needs, ensuring safety plans are co-produced through a collaborative approach rather than being imposed by courts. It is essential that women are not left to manage risks alone. The study concludes with recommendations for policy, practice, and future research, including the integration of specialist advocacy roles and trauma-informed court processes. It also advocates for long-term reform to challenge societal issues of gendered power dynamics that enable domestic abuse and limit access to justice.

Date of Award	Sept 2025
Original language	English
Supervisor	Linda Moore (Supervisor), Brian Payne (Supervisor), Julie Harris (Supervisor) & Conor Murray (Supervisor)