Providing support to victims: Police officers’ service referral provision and advocate involvement in domestic violence incidents

Abstract

Limited research has investigated police service provision and advocate involvement in domestic violence (DV) incidents. This study used a stratified random sample of 368 cases from an urban police department to assess police officers? decisions to provide service provision and to involve an advocate in formally-reported DV incidents. Multivariate binary logistic regression models revealed decreased suspect age and presence of physical abuse significantly increased service referral. Advocate involvement significantly decreased when the victim and suspect were married, when the suspect used alcohol and/or drugs, and when there was physical evidence present in the case. Alternatively, suspect weapon use, victim injury, and service referral by police increased later advocate involvement. Implications and future research directions are discussed.