A law enforcement strategy to reduce intimate partner domestic violence

What is it about?

This article reviews a law enforcement strategy that has successfully reduced the number of intimate partner domestic violence arrests and calls for service. The strategy, based on the focused deterrence strategy of policing, holds offenders accountable for their actions and notifies them of swift and certain consequences for future acts of violence. Recidivism rates for notified offenders are also presented.

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Why is it important?

The work presented in this article represents the first time that the focused deterrence strategy of policing has been adapted to combat intimate partner domestic violence. Focused deterrence has been successfully applied in the past to a number of violent crime problems, including gang/group violence, chronic violent offenders, and open-air drug markets. This work is important in that it provides a model for law enforcement agencies to reduce intimate partner domestic violence and ultimately reduce intimate partner homicides by taking advantage of various points of contact that intimate partner offenders may have with the criminal justice system. The goal of the strategy is to take the burden off the victim to stop the violence and to hold the offender accountable for their actions, leading offenders to make the rational choice to stop offending or else face swift, certain consequences.