nities have adopted a more integrated approach engaging advocates, police, and the criminal justice system,† for the most part, recidivism remains high. In the small studies of these integrated domestic violence approaches, there is evidence that victim satisfaction is high but insufficient evidence that recidivism and revictimization rates have decreased. One commentary suggests that the small core of persistent batterers (who are violent toward others as well as their intimates) are perhaps resistant to even highly coordinated efforts.
† For a fuller description of the different types of integrated approaches adopted and their studies, see Buzawa and Buzawa, chapter 15 (2003).
To improve the likelihood that a comprehensive approach reduces recidivism and victimization requires a continuum of responses depending on the most reliable research and covering the different points in time most important to reducing domestic abuse: before an incident to keep it from occurring, during an incident to stop the immediate violence, and after an incident to reduce or prevent revictimization. It involves responses that focus on victims and potential victims and strategies that focus on offenders and potential offenders. As well, it involves the improved identification and reporting of cases of abuse between current and former intimates and dating partners.
The matrix below may help you organize the strategic focus, goals, and timing of your responses to domestic violence. This section is followed by information on the impact of specific responses to domestic violence strategies. Many of the responses will require the support and collaboration of other governmental agencies and community nonprofits.
|Figure 2. Matrix of Responses to Domestic Violence|
|Strategic Focus||Strategic Times for Responses||Goal||Police Role||Other Agencies, Organizations, Group|
|At-risk population||Before incidents||Prevention; persuade those at risk that, if abused, call the police||Alert and educate at-risk victim population; educate/warn at-risk offending population||Public health organizations; domestic violence coalitions; schools and educators; medical professionals|
|Peers and neighbors of at-risk individuals||Ongoing||Getting peers and neighbors to call the police if they learn of domestic abuse||Educate these groups about the importance of calling the police to reduce the violence||Public health organizations; domestic violence coalitions; educators|
|Injured women and men||During medical care||Screen the injured for domestic violence; raise awareness of available services; provide medical care||Engage the medical profession and link medical professionals with appropriate referral organizations||Medical professionals|
|Individual incident||During||Violence cessation||Stop the violence; identify primary aggressor; accurately identify abuse history||Medical and public health professionals|
|Immediately after incident||After; ongoing||Prevent revictimization||Assist with victim safety; develop tailored strategies for victim and offender based on risk/physical violence history; increase focus on high-risk offenders; ensure victim is linked with needed resources; increase focus on high-risk victims; ongoing monitoring||Domestic violence victim advocates, victims’ friends and family, shelters, victim services, criminal justice system, treatment services|
Graded approaches to both victim and offender can be effective ways to reduce revictimization. British researchers conducted several evaluations and found that significant reductions in repeat victimization are achievable. The key to reduction is that, at each level, police (and others) must focus equal attention on the victim and the offender. The victim and the offender must know about the actions police have and will take in relation to each other. Graded approaches must be applied quickly because the highest risk period for further assault is within the first four weeks of the last assault.
Under a graded approach victims are assigned to one of three follow-up response levels based on the following:
