NCJ Number
175221
Date Published
1997
Length
101 pages
Annotation
This study was conducted to determine whether Apprehended Violence Orders (AVOs) designed to prevent domestic violence were effective in New South Wales.
Abstract
Although the study did not involve a randomized trial, it obtained standardized measures of the prevalence of violence, abuse, and harassment before and after AVOs were obtained. Follow-up interviews were conducted 1 month after an AVO was served on a defendant, and subsamples were interviewed 3 months and 6 months later. Comparisons based on these measures indicated that AVOs were very effective, even after controlling for factors such as level of contact between parties. While subjects experienced violence, abuse, and harassment from defendants before applying for an AVO, for most subjects there was a reduction in stalking, physical assaults, threats of physical assaults, verbal abuse, nuisance telephone calls, being sent inappropriate letters or gifts, and other forms of intimidation up to 6 months after an AVO was served. This reduction occurred even among subjects who maintained contact with defendants. Only one form of negative behavior increased after the AVO was served; a larger proportion of defendants approached family, social, and employment networks. Most subjects were satisfied with services they received when they applied for an AVO. Results on breaches reported to the police and on whether police officers actively dealt with alleged breaches were more disappointing. Only about one-third of breaches were reported to the police, and police officers took no action in response to about 70 percent of breaches reported to them. About 90 percent of subjects said they would seek another AVO if a similar situation arose. Appendixes contain additional information on AVO provisions of the Crimes Act of 1996, the study interview schedule, and supporting data. 9 notes and 48 tables