NCJ Number
209004
Journal
Criminal Justice Policy Review Volume: 16 Issue: 1 Dated: March 2005 Pages: 99-114
Date Published
March 2005
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This study used 7 years (1995 to 2001) of data from the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) to identify and describe the features of incidents of intimate partner violence (IPV) and their contexts in Idaho.
Abstract
The researchers believe that the times of the day, the week, the month, the year, and the location of IPV offenses are fairly typical across States, such that the findings on these variables in Idaho would be generalizable to all States. The analysis of 7 years of data resulted in 36,080 incident reports of IPV that involved 39,931 victims and 47,598 offenders who committed 40,977 offenses against those victims. For the purposes of this study, an IPV offense was any recorded crime that occurred in the context of an intimate relationship that included spouses, ex-spouses, common-law spouses, boyfriend/girlfriend, and partners of the same gender. The data analysis found that the times and places of IPV offenses mirrored those of other index offenses. A greater percentage of crime occurs at night, on the weekends, during the summer, and in one's home than at other times and places. IPV was found to occur at times when greater contact between the offender and the victim would be expected, i.e., at night and on weekends. It also occurred at times of the night when other members of the household, notably children, were least likely to view it. It occurred most often in the home, where members of the extended family, friends, and neighbors would not witness it. IPV was also more likely on holidays when use of alcohol likely increased and the sentiments attached to the holiday did not present a significant inhibition against violence toward intimates. Explanations for these patterns of time, place, and circumstance must be further analyzed in order to provide a basis for prevention strategies. 2 tables, 4 figures, and 42 references