Type:	Journal Article
Title:	Victim's perceptions of police response to domestic violence incidents
Other Titles:	Journal of criminal justice
Authors:	Johnson, Ida M
Keywords:	Policing;Criminal justice responses
Year:	2007
Publisher:	Pergamon Press
Citation:	35, 2007
Notes:	General Overview: This article reports on a study of 39 female victims of domestic violence in Alabama, United States, and their perceptions of the police response to the incident. Objective: This study sought to examine victims’ perceptions of police response to domestic abuse cases, recognising that these have been unrepresented in discussions and decisions about policing practice. The study examines what aspects of police intervention victims find helpful. Methods: The study involved the use of two strategies to capture victim perceptions. The author drew a random sample of 130 incident reports of domestic abuse cases recorded in Alabama between 2000 and 2001. From these reports, the author identified characteristics of the victims and summary information about the incidents. The study also involved a telephone survey with a random sample of thirty-nine female domestic abuse victims who called the police. In these cases, the author examined female victims perceptions of the police response. Results: Of the telephone respondents, about one third of the women reported that the officers were too impersonal or unsympathetic. One third regretted calling the police and in 40% of these cases this was because police did not act on their wishes regarding arrest. Half of the women reported that they would call police again if the police would stop their partners’ abuse without arresting him. Women were more likely to say they would call police again if they saw the police as helpful and interested. Those who would not call again said this was because of fear of being arrested themselves or because of fear that the abuse would escalate if the police did not arrest the abuser. Conclusions: The author summarises the development of mandatory arrest policies in the United States and reviews studies of the deterrent effect of arrest, the factors influencing the decision to arrest and factors influencing victim satisfaction.
URI:	https://anrows.intersearch.com.au/anrowsjspui/handle/1/12790
ISSN:	472352
Appears in Collections:	Journal Articles

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