Intimate Partner Violence Survivors and the Criminal Justice System: A Case Study of Addis Ababa City Administration

Abstract

The Ethiopian criminal justice system fails to recognize intimate partner violence against women (IPVAW) survivors as active participants in their cases, treating these crimes solely as offenses against society and neglecting survivors’ rights and agency. This oversight and the lack of adequate guidelines for handling IPVAW cases leave actors unsure of how best to support survivors. This article aims to explore the rights and treatments of IPVAW survivors throughout their interaction with the criminal justice system, focusing on their roles, struggles, needs, and concerns. Employing a qualitative research approach, the study utilizes semi-structured in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, courtroom observations, and case analysis. Data was gathered from purposively selected survivors and actors within selected sub-cities of Addis Ababa. The findings reveal that the lack of adequate legal provisions, which require regular updates, leaves many survivors uninformed about their cases and the legal process. Additionally, survivors’ input is rarely sought during adjudication or sentencing, further marginalizing their agency within the system. Furthermore, interactions with actors and the courtroom environment, among other factors, significantly shape survivors’ experiences. Based on these findings, this article proposes comprehensive recommendations to ensure survivors’ meaningful participation and improvement of their treatment throughout the criminal justice process.