NCJ Number
198843
Journal
Campus Law Enforcement Journal Volume: 32 Issue: 6 Dated: November/December 2002 Pages: 31-32
Date Published
November 2002
Length
2 pages
Annotation
This article describes the proactive work of the Domestic Crimes Unit of the University of South Alabama Police Department in reducing incidents of violence among student couples.
Abstract
Crime analysis found that in 2001 over 66 campus police reports of violence were generated from 12 couples, and an additional 7 reports were received by other agencies from these same couples. The author, a member of the campus police department, contacted the local battered women's shelter in Mobile, AL, in order to become better informed about the dynamics of domestic violence and the most effective responses to it. The Domestic Crimes Unit was established to implement policies designed to protect victims and reduce recidivism. In-house counseling services are available for both victims and perpetrators, along with medical treatment for victims. Protective measures for victims include a change in the victim's work station, class schedule, housing, and contact numbers, so as to facilitate making the victim inaccessible to the perpetrator. The effectiveness of the Domestic Crimes Unit has been shown in the dramatic decline in the number of domestic violence crimes. There have been virtually no repeat offenders, since the unit has addressed the problems linked to particular abusive relationships.