BROOKINGS — Brookings County State’s Attorney Dan Nelson addressed the Brookings Rotary Club on April 28, , focusing on the challenges of prosecuting domestic violence cases and the importance of supporting victims. His presentation coincided with National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, which is observed each April to bring attention to victims’ rights and advocacy.
Nelson explained that domestic violence is one of the most difficult crimes to prosecute due to intimidation and coercion of victims. Drawing on a United States Supreme Court statement, he noted that such cases are “notoriously susceptible to intimidation or coercion of the victim to ensure she does not testify.” Nationally, about 80 percent of victims recant or decline to cooperate, a trend that he said is evident in Brookings County and across the country.
He described a typical sequence of events following a domestic assault. Law enforcement responds to a 911 call, collects statements, and documents injuries. Defendants, especially first-time offenders, are often released quickly, which allows many to violate no-contact orders through calls or social media. Such violations are difficult to monitor and frequently lead to manipulation of victims who then refuse to testify, forcing prosecutors to reduce or dismiss charges.
Nelson discussed the cycle of power and control commonly used by abusers. Financial dependence, threats regarding children, and emotional manipulation leave victims trapped and afraid to lose their home, stability, or family relationships. Many victims internalize guilt, minimize assaults, or fear the stigma of being labeled a victim. The prospect of testifying publicly and reliving trauma further discourages cooperation.
To counter these barriers, Nelson emphasized empowerment as the cornerstone of effective victim support. Citing the idea that a survivor can become “stronger than she could have ever imagined,” he described his office’s approach centered on personal engagement and compassion. Early in-person meetings with victims are prioritized and include the county’s full-time victim advocate. Conversations confront self-blame directly and allow victims to review evidence such as photographs or body-camera recordings. The office then coordinates with local nonprofits to provide food, shelter, transportation, and counseling. Through connections with Brookings Behavioral Health and family networks, they strive to create emotional and financial stability for victims preparing to testify.
He shared a case example of a woman who had endured repeated abuse but ultimately agreed to testify after years of outreach and support, leading to a twenty-year prison sentence for her abuser. Nelson also described the constitutional limits prosecutors face, noting that a defendant has the right to confront their accuser in court. Recording or secondhand testimony is rarely admissible, which makes direct witness participation indispensable to achieving justice.
In an interactive discussion, Rotary members asked about male victims, the role of law enforcement and social services, child safety, and mandated reporting by teachers. Nelson said domestic calls remain among the most dangerous for police due to the emotional volatility and potential presence of weapons. He noted that while over 90 percent of local domestic cases involve female victims, men also experience violence but often avoid reporting because of social stigma. He further explained that substance abuse and mental illness frequently contribute to domestic conflicts and that children raised in violent households are at greater risk of future abuse, either as victims or perpetrators.
Nelson praised the Brookings community’s resources, including its domestic abuse shelter, which provides housing, food, and support services. When asked what resources would most strengthen victim services, he described an ideal model similar to the family justice center in San Diego, which offers comprehensive, wraparound assistance combining safe housing, education, job training, and therapy for victims and their children.
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