The author explains that mandatory arrest policies for acts of domestic violence were widely accepted as a victory for victim advocates and feminists alike. However, demanding that the problem of domestic violence be dealt with through the criminal justice system, rather than more informally, has had unintended consequences for some women and girls, as well as people of color. The author explains that the law often operates in a racist and sexist manner, which over-polices certain groups of people, such as working class people of color. As such, arrest policies mandating arrest for domestic violence make it appear as if more working class people of color commit acts of domestic violence. Worse yet, mandatory arrest policies necessarily result in the arrest of more women and girls, who may have engaged in acts of violence in self-defense. The author cautions that when overly simplistic solutions are offered for complex issues concerning violence, racism, and sexism, unintended consequences are bound to crop up. References