Whether such a victim will actually suffer a penalty for failure to show up at a criminal trial is up to the judge. The law provides for such penalties, so the victim runs the risk that she may face such penalties for failure to show.

As your case is set for a bench trial, I assume that you are represented by competent legal counsel. Your attorney should be able to explain the particulars to you, regarding the presence of a victim for a trial that alleges domestic violence. If you do not have an attorney, then you should locate an experienced and skilled attorney in your area. You may wish to consult attorneypages.com. Or, if you are in the central Ohio area, feel free to check out our services at www.jmoserlaw.com . Good Luck.