The author shows that a traditional criminal justice approach that uses mandatory arrest policies and civil restraining orders as currently promulgated has not been effective in preventing domestic violence. He also questions how effective these policies are in providing proper sanctions, either through intensive probation or incarceration, for the perpetrators of domestic violence. Although Federal policies that are championed by the Violence Against Women Office of the Justice Department have dramatically altered police policies and procedures, they have had little to no effect on the courts in imposing proper sanctions or deterring the chronic criminal domestic violence abusers. It is clear that proactive prevention efforts cannot come through the reactive process of the criminal justice system. An effective effort to break the domestic- violence cycle must include unified, communitywide prevention and intervention strategies for abusers/victims who are convinced they do not need or want the intervention of the criminal justice system, as well as intervention for the chronic abusers/victims by the criminal justice system. Some of the recommendations for the criminal justice system are to make domestic violence a serious crime; to use intensive probation with abusers; to engage in proactive policing; and to make court procedures sure, swift, and equitable. Beyond the efforts of the criminal justice system recommendations focus on a holistic approach that involves a communitywide task force that ensures community agencies and service providers will work with the police to respond to domestic violence promptly, consistently, and effectively. A 240- item bibliography