Police Interaction with Victims of Domestic Violence

This research project focused on the differing interactions between police officers and victims of domestic violence. The objective of the study was twofold. The first objective was to determine which interactions breed the most positive short-term and long-term outcomes for the victims The second objective was to analyze the effects of negative interactions on the victims overall well-being. The method employed in the study was the reading and analysis of three peer reviewed journal articles. Analysis included comparing results which indicate what police-victim interactions may be viewed as positive or negative, as well as the victim outcomes related to each interaction. The results of the review suggest that a social support model breeds the most positive outcomes for the victims while negative actions such as victim arrest isolate the victim and may lead to further trauma.