STATEMENT OF GLEN R MURPHY ON JULY 17, 1978, CONCERNING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PREVENTION AND SERVICES ACT' (FROM DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, 1978, P 640-645 - SEE NCJ-65505)

• NCJ Number: 65512
• Author(s): G R MURPHY
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 6 pages
• Corporate Author: International Assoc of Chiefs of Police
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

A STATEMENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CHIEFS OF POLICE (IACP) TO THE SENATE SUBCOMMITTEE ON CHILD AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT URGES PASSAGES OF THE PROPOSED 'DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PREVENTION AND SERVICES ACT.'

Abstract

THE PROPOSED ACT WILL FULFILL VARIOUS FUNCTIONS; AMONG THESE ARE PROVISION OF A FINANCIAL INCENTIVE FOR STATES TO SUPPORT PROGRAMS ADDRESSING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, ENCOURAGING STATES TO ASSUME A RAPIDLY INCREASING PROPORTION OF THE COSTS OF THE PROGRAM, AND ENSURING THAT NONPROFIT PRIVATE GROUPS ARE NOT PRECLUDED FROM SHARING IN THE RESOURCES. THESE ACTIVITIES WILL OCCUR SUBSEQUENT TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF STATE CITIZEN PANELS ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, OF REGIONAL CENTERS TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING, AND OF AN INTERAGENCY COUNCIL TO COORDINATE FEDERAL PROGRAMS WITH RESPECT TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. THE BILL WILL ALSO PROVIDE FOR RESEARCH AND REPORTING PROGRAMS RELATING TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. THE SERIOUSNESS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN U.S. HOUSEHOLDS IS IMPORTANT TO IACP PARTLY BECAUSE OF THE PHYSICAL DANGER POLICE OFFICERS ENCOUNTER WHEN RESPONDING TO HOUSEHOLD DISTURBANCE CALLS. ALTHOUGH POLICE OFFICERS ARE TRAINED TO DEAL WITH SITUATIONS OF FAMILY ABUSE, AND EVEN BECOME INVOLVED WITH SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES FOR REFERRAL PURPOSES, COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS LIMITED. THE PROPOSAL ACT PROVIDES FOR GREATER SUPPORT AND COORDINATION AMONG SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES DEALING WITH FAMILY ABUSE. POLICE RESPONSES TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, IN CONTRAST, HAVE ONLY SHORT-TERM EFFECTS AND ARE LIMITED IN SCOPE. STUDIES HAVE DEMONSTRATED THAT, AS A RESULT OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMMUNITY-BASED FAMILY VIOLENCE PROGRAMS, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF CALLS FOR POLICE INTERVENTION HAS BEEN REDUCED BY HALF, THE RECIDIVISM RATE FOR DOMESTIC DISTURBANCES REDUCED BY MORE THAN HALF, AND THE AMOUNT OF TIME SPENT ON DOMESTIC DISTURBANCE CALLS REDUCED BY ABOUT 25 MINUTES PER CALL. THESE STUDIES INDICATE THAT THE CURRENT HIGH DRAIN ON LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL GENERATED BY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CAN BE REDUCED WITH PROPER TRAINING AND RESOURCES.