The purpose of the criminal justice system is to communicate to the community the types of behavior that are so damaging to society that they are not to be tolerated. The best responses to domestic violence are those that assist the criminal justice system in the effective communication of the message that violence is prohibited and that those who commit violent acts will be subjected to the same criminal justice processing as any other offender. Mental health professionals must impress upon abusers that their abuse is against the law and cannot be tolerated under any circumstances. The victim must be encouraged to do whatever is required to stop the battering, including having the abuser arrested. An emphasis on conciliation and the preservation of the relationship may fail to give top priority to the physical protection of the victim. 15 references.