In many jurisdictions, legislation has defined the proper boundaries of police arrest practices, mandated data collection and reporting, required training programs, provided victim assistance, authorized the use of civil protection orders, and increased penalties for repeat offenders. In addition to these responses, courts can provide protection to victims by limiting the defendants' access to victims as a condition of pretrial release, and defendants' should be required to appear in court as soon as possible after arrest. Victims, reluctance to testify can be overcome through increased information, emotional support, and trial preparation. In addition, expert testimony can be introduced to educate the judge and jury and to explain the victims' reluctance to testify. Sentencing of offenders should be aimed at holding batterers accountable, ending the abuse, and meeting the needs of victims and their families. Finally, court-ordered counseling and education for batterers provide a promising dispositional alternative that can achieve the goals of sentencing. 26 references.