Handbook on Effective Prosecution Responses to Violence Against Women and Girls

The Handbook on Effective Prosecution Responses to Violence Against Women and Girls is intended as a resource for individual prosecutors and prosecution services to build on. Given the diversity of structures and approaches to prosecution in various legal systems, the Handbook is limited to the general prosecutorial powers and functions including:

• Deciding whether or not to initiate or continue criminal proceedings in cases of violence against women and girls.
• Directing or supervising investigations.
• Dealing with victims.
• Presenting cases before the courts.
• Deciding on alternatives to prosecution.
• Playing a role in sentencing. 

It also includes information on aspects and requirements that may not fall within the role and functions of prosecutors in certain jurisdictions and legal systems, such as interviewing and preparing the victim for trial, plea bargaining, or the use of expert witnesses. 

The Handbook consists of three parts. Part One discusses current reflections on violence against women and girls and the role of the criminal justice system. Part Two discusses the role of the prosecutor in effective responses in cases involving violence against women and girls. Part Three discusses various approaches of the prosecution agency for effective institutional practices to address violence against women and girls.