This week communities across the country and here on the Southcoast are observing National Crime Victims' Rights Week with a series of events and commemoriations.

Bristol County District Attorney Tom Quinn III has been taking part in many of those observances, especially those with a focus on domestic violence.

Quinn says his office has put alot of resources into combatting this type of crime because of the tremendous negative impact it can have, not only on the victim, but also the family, and the larger society as a whole.

"When children are exposed to this on a regular basis it doesn't take much to figure out what they're going to be doing, or certainly they're more inclined to do," said Quinn "it increases the risk of alot of things when they see this, criminal behavior, potential drug use."

Quinn says this type of crime is among the most difficult to prosecute because the victim is often unwilling to take part, and in some cases will even hinder the prosecution.

"Not cooperating with and in fact hindering the majority of these prosecutions is a huge obstacle to properly prosecuting them," said Quinn.

However, Quinn says that even in these instances the courts have a responsibility to ensure that a viable case goes forward.

"I think at times, and I'm speaking generally, there's a mindset that 'oh the victim doesn't want to cooperate therefore the case isn't a viable prosecution'," said Quinn "it doesn't really impact what should happen in the preliminary stages."

Quinn says he has seen many cases where a perpetrator is released putting the victim and larger society as a whole at risk.

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