Since the beginning of history women were considered to be part of their husband's property and barely had any legal rights. The husband was considered to be the disciplinary figure of the household. This meant keeping those who misbehaved under control. English common law, the predecessor too many U.S. statues, followed a variant of this well-recognized custom male control over women (Buzawa & Buzawa, 2003). English feudal law reinforced both the concept of male property rights over women and the right of men to beat “their women” if needed (Buzawa & Buzawa, 2003). TheNational Coalition Against Domestic Violence website documents that the NCADV believes that men objectify women, that they do not see women as people and do not respect women as a group, and that contemporary mores and norms cause men in general to view women as property or sexual objects (Davis, 2008).In this paper, I will report the patterns and indicators of domestic violence, as it was decades ago to today with a particular focus on laws and women. During the 18th and early 19th century men abusing women as a form of punishment was portrayed as normal in society with minimal legal consequences against the abuser. Domestic violence against women was considered to be a private family affair in which the police was reluctant to get involved. The crime is defined as a pattern of behavior in any relationship that is used to gain or maintain power and control over an intimate partner (Davis 2008). Abuse is physical, sexual, emotional, economic or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person (Davis, 2008). Domestic violence can happen to anyone of any race, age, sexual orientation, religion or gender (Davis, 2008). It can happen to couples who are married, living together or who are dating (Davis, 2008). Domestic violence affects people of all socioeconomic backgrounds and educational levels (NDVH, 2007). Law enforcement did not take domestic violence as a serious issue. This traditional behavior of police indifference to domestic violence would not go on without consequences. In the 1970’s, women’s rights groups and a number of domestic violence lawsuits accusing police of negligence began to have an effect on (Hirschel, 2008, p. 3). Laws were passed such as mandatory arrest to enable police to make arrests in domestic violence incidents without a warrant (Hirschel, 2008, p. 3). In response to mandatory arrest polices the main objective of this research paper is to have a better understanding in reference to these policies that have been in effect since the 1980s. First, a brief history and how police officers viewed domestic violence cases. Secondly, significant lawsuits that changed the perception of police departments in treating domestic violence cases and the enactment of mandatory arrest laws. Next, the purpose of The Minneapolis Domestic Violence Experiment and other replication studies. Followed by these discussions I will review current domestic violence statistics. With the joint effort of my knowledge and previous research, I will analyze mandatory arrest laws and determine if they are working in favor or against victims and hopefully provide you with a better understanding to these policies. Lawsuits that Changed Domestic Violence Policies Several law suits in the late 1970’s claimed the Oakland, California and New York City police departments failed to protect battered women (Bruno v. Codd, 1977; Scott v. Hart, 1992) (Buzawa & Buzawa, 2003). In both of these cases trial courts ordered the police to provide better protection to the victims of domes