NCJ Number
211060
Journal
Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies & Management Volume: 28 Issue: 2 Dated: 2005 Pages: 301-320
Date Published
2005
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This study investigated what victims of domestic violence expect police to do for them and how these expectations determine or influence their levels of satisfaction.
Abstract
Debates over the merits of various police policies or procedures related to domestic violence will continue as long as little is known about what domestic violence victims specifically expect or want out of the criminal justice response to their cases. This study examined the determinants of satisfaction with the police among a sample of domestic violence victims by directly exploring their expectations of police and opinions about police performance. Data were collected from interviews with 222 women attending the Women’s Safety Unit (WSU) in Wales. The results of this study made it clear that expectation fulfillment is more important than characteristics of victims, previously thought to be the most important determinants of satisfaction. When victims expected and received certain police behaviors, such as talking to the perpetrator separately or making an arrest or expected and received a positive police demeanor they were significantly more likely to be satisfied than when police failed to live up to these expectations. The results confirm the contention that domestic violence victims’ satisfaction is increased when victims have the opportunity to express their concerns and when they feel that their wishes are not ignored. Tables, notes, references