Women?s Narratives on their Interactions with the First Response Police Officer Following an Incidence of Domestic Violence in the UK

Keeling J Wormer Av

doi:10.4172/2375-4435.1000122

Abstract

Background: Historically police responses towards the treatment of domestic disturbances regard them as a noncriminal problem. Recent changes to societal and Criminal Justice System attitudes to domestic violence now places an emphasis on first response officers to effectively deal with offenders, manage victim safety and gather evidence. Methods: This study explored fifteen women’s interactions with the attending first response police officer following an episode of domestic violence within the home. A qualitative approach using unstructured narrative interviews was chosen to ensure that each woman remained in control of the research interview. Results: Thematic analysis revealed three main themes concerning power relations and officer attitudes, suggesting that personal and cultural factors may negatively impact on officers ‘handling of complaints of partner assault, offsetting policy initiatives that guide officers in engaging with victims of domestic violence. The order of the themes reflects the sequential nature of the women’s dialogue. The first theme explores the initial police response, followed by the women’s narratives around feelings of personal disregard for their experiences and evidential considerations. The final theme explores the police response to retraction of statements. Conclusions: Women’s interactions with first response officers following domestic violence illuminates societal issues previously unmentioned. Making women’s’ stories visible provides an important insight, contribution and opportunity to examine first response officer’s responses to domestic violence. Integrating the voices of the women (service Abstract users) themselves, is arguably an advantageous consideration towards continuing Professional development training for all first response police officers. The attendance of the police at an incident of domestic violence provides unique opportunity to gather evidence for the purposes of prosecution. Negative police responses to women experiencing domestic violence may serve to undermine a woman’s autonomy and may also be interpreted as condoning the behavior of the abusive partner.

Highlights

The police response towards the treatment of domestic disturbances has been to regard them as a noncriminal problem, a private issue to be resolved within the family [1]
These societal and Criminal Justice System (CJS) attitudes to domestic violence have been challenged and there has been a deliberate attempt by agencies such as the police to review practices that will both address the pressing need for adequate responses, but at the same time influence the prism by which domestic disturbances, abuse and violence is publically viewed
Despite the myriad of agencies involved in the criminal justice process in cases of domestic violence, the immediate interface between victim and agency is likely to be that of a responding police officer, especially in cases where injuries have been sustained and/or where there is the potential for harm or risk

Summary

Introduction

The police response towards the treatment of domestic disturbances has been to regard them as a noncriminal problem, a private issue to be resolved within the family [1]. Despite the myriad of agencies involved in the criminal justice process in cases of domestic violence, the immediate interface between victim and agency is likely to be that of a responding police officer, especially in cases where injuries have been sustained and/or where there is the potential for harm or risk. Given this contact, the character and nature, and the victim’s perspective of it, are crucial to understanding police responses to domestic violence. Repeat victimisation compounds suffering on many levels, not least in terms of health, housing and education but crucially, the loss of freedom and autonomy, when episodes of violence are likely to increase in frequency and severity [19]

Results

Discussion

Conclusion