NCJ Number
130173
Date Published
1990
Length
125 pages
Annotation
A British police officer analyzes the nature and extent of spouse abuse in Great Britain, discusses the development of policies and practices for responding to domestic assault, and suggests improvements that will better address victims' needs and provide more effective case handling.
Abstract
Study information came from reviews of official documents and surveys of victims and police. The analysis notes that police officers tend to hesitate to become involved in marital disputes because of the social taboos surrounding domestic violence, fear of injury, belief that the victim will not support prosecution, and the view that intervention in domestic crisis is not an appropriate role for the police. Victims are usually dissatisfied with police responses, perceiving a pattern of police discretion that produces inaction. Although some British police agencies have policies dealing with domestic violence, still further policy development and police training are needed. Initiatives in the United States, Canada, and Australia suggest promising approaches to the problem. Figures, tables, index, and 95 references. (Publisher summary modified)