Should a victim of domestic violence be responsible for the illegal behavior of the abuser?

Question

When victims have been beaten and call for help, they are asked what might have caused the beating. In some cities in the U.S. when the victim turns the abuser in for something illegal like marijuana the victim also gets arrested. There are cases where the abuser even admits ownership of the illegal substance. Many victims claim that they should not be responsible for what their spouse or partner participates in. Many of them are in enough danger trying to escape the violent relationship and cannot imagine trying to control the illegal habit of the abuser.

Answer 1

EDIT:
Arrests are not the same as convictions. Arrests are based on probable cause to believe a crime has been committed -- here, drug possession.

In the absence of any information to the contrary, if drugs are found, then anyone there might be considered in possession. Or they might be considered accomplices to the crime.

However, if the abuser admits that the drugs are his, then the police should not arrest someone else unless there is evidence (probable cause) of some other crime.

But also remembre that arrests are made frequently without charges being filed, and without being formal enough to go on a person's record. Was the victim charged for these crimes? Was it an actual arrest, or were they just taken into custody for questioning?

The details matters, because a formal arrest (under the above facts) sounds unreasonable, but questioning is less obstrusive. However, both are arguably legal.

Answer 2

There is a bit more psychology behind why a victim stays and allows things to take place, its not always cut and dry. If a victim calls police and states my husband is growing weed in my closet I seriously doubt they will be arrested as the reporting party. Maybe in a case of an anonymous tip where the officer's do not know the caller is a wife but that isn't exactly our fault.

When I first got on the job I never understood why a woman would stay while being abused. Now I understand it a bit better and I think the changes in the law are a good thing. I have been in court where a wife and husband walk in together hand in hand, kiss as they separate to go to opposing counsel tables for the husband's trial. Its crazy but it's life.

I never asked the question "What did you do to deserve this?" A woman never deserves to be beaten by her husband. If she had a hand laid on her, he went to jail. Simple, no excuses accepted.

Answer 3

Good lord! Putting the victim on trial? It's behavior like that that gives good laws and good law officers a bad name! And makes the real criminals cackle with glee!

I had something like that happen to me once- and since then I've thought thrice about trusting anything wearing a badge.

Answer 4

You are never, never responsible for the behavior of another adult human being. There are no" buts "on this one. I have told abusive partners and alcoholic husband that I did start make them the way they are and I cannot stop the way they are.

Answer 5

If the victim provokes the abuser and then is found to be a criminal

Answer 6

If you know there are illegal substances in your residence, and on top of it you claim them to be yours then yes, you should be arrested. People need to stop ragging on cops for doing their job, they have the training and the education, not the criminals

Answer 7

If the drugs are in your home, you too our responsible. It sounds as though what we have are a couple that haven't the intelligence to live a normal life. That seems to be pretty common these days.

Answer 8

Noooooooo!!! This is insane!!!