NCJ Number
199479
Date Published
October 2000
Length
39 pages
Annotation
This document provides an analysis of domestic violence reports to the Anchorage (Alaska) Police Department from 1989 to 1998.
Abstract
Data were analyzed through the Statistical Program for Social Sciences (SPSS). A total of 29,408 incidents were reported to the police. Police response, victim and suspect characteristics, and other findings of the incident were assessed by using a 20 percent sample, an estimated 5,940 cases. Results show from 1989 to 1998, reported cases of domestic violence increased by 120 percent. Police officers’ determination that assault occurred in domestic violence incidents rose by 235 percent. Overall, police department arrest action for domestic violence cases increased by 389 percent. Although ethnic minority groups were arrested or cited disproportionately, a statistical review of factors points to injury of the victim as the basis for arrest, not ethnicity. Injury to the victim and victim cooperation to provide information of the incident were the two factors that determined the outcome of arrest action. A female victim and male principal physical aggressor were identified in 74 percent of the cases. In cases where there was a female victim and male suspect, the female was more likely to sustain more serious physical injury. Domestic violence information cards were provided in 49 percent of the incidents, according to the police report narrative. In the majority of the cases the victim and principal physical aggressor were cohabitating or had a previous cohabitating relationship. Cohabitant victims were more likely to suffer moderate and major injury by the suspect. Alcohol was identified as a factor in 48 percent of the cases; serious injury was more likely in these cases. In the majority of cases handled by a police officer, minor physical injury was noted the most often, followed closely by moderate physical injury cases. Appendix