NCJ Number
160311
Date Published
1994
Length
34 pages
Annotation
An innovative project in Merseyside, England, to prevent domestic violence showed that women were repeatedly victimized and that second and subsequent attacks were often carried out fairly soon after the initial incident.
Abstract
The project was conducted in a single police beat which had a particularly high violent crime rate. Analysis was based on 1,261 domestic violence incidents between February 1989 and March 1991. The time course of repeated domestic violence incidents was assessed, and domestic violence prevention strategies were identified. In particular, the following domestic violence prevention measures were evaluated: quick response pendant alarms, early warning database, more complete transfer of injunction details from courts to police, support and information for domestic violence victims, and heightened awareness of domestic violence. A rapid response system was developed that involved computer-assisted information for police officers who were dispatched in response to domestic violence calls. This period of concentrated police attention allowed time for the development of domestic violence prevention packages tailored to individual victim circumstances. Cost data on the domestic violence demonstration project in Merseyside are provided. 26 references, 4 tables, and 2 figures