NCJ Number
169635
Date Published
1988
Length
0 pages
Annotation
This videotape aims to educate police officers about the nature and extent of domestic violence and the most effective and safe law enforcement response.
Abstract
The narrative presents statistics noting that 30 percent of female homicide victims were murdered by spouses or intimate partners and that wife beating is the single major cause of injuries to women. The discussion also notes and refutes common myths about domestic violence. A vignette dramatizes a situation in which a husband's anger begins with yelling and shoving his wife and escalates to hitting and kicking her. The woman calls the police, who demonstrate the most effective police response to domestic violence. Police are advised that arrest is the most effective response. Police are advised to make safety of the family, themselves, and bystanders the most important consideration. Guidelines are given regarding parking their vehicle, approaching the home, determining the suspect's location, interviewing the suspect and the victim, making an arrest, informing the victim of options, and completing a report. The film also discusses domestic violence causes, presents the comments of victims and batterers, and depicts a group therapy session for batterers.