NCJ Number
235218
Journal
Journal of Interpersonal Violence Volume: 21 Issue: 10 Dated: October 2006 Pages: 1365-1374
Date Published
October 2006
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This study examined police attitudes towards women seeking justice-system support for protection from partner violence.
Abstract
Police attitudes are important in facilitating a sense of safety and comfort in women seeking justice-system support for protection from partner violence. This study examined police attitudes toward sanctions and treatment for domestic violence offenders compared with other violent and nonviolent offenders. In addition, police attitudes toward domestic violence offenders who do and do not use substances were examined. Officers from one city police department (n = 315) participated in a survey. Results indicate there is a trend toward attitudes that treatment, rather than sanctions, was more appropriate for domestic violence offenders. In addition, officers rated the use of sanctions higher for domestic violence offenders who abuse alcohol or drugs compared with domestic violence offenders who did not abuse alcohol or drugs. Understanding police attitudes toward domestic violence offenders may have implications for police training and victim services in facilitating the use of the justice system in protecting women from partner violence. (Published Abstract)