Perceptions of Victim Advocates and Predictors of Service Referral Among Law Enforcement Personnel

Abstract

<jats:p> Limited research exists on police officers’ service provision for sexual and domestic violence survivors after they formally report. This study used surveys from 452 commissioned officers at an urban police department in one of the five largest and most diverse U.S. cities to examine police perceptions of victim advocates, self-reported frequency of referral, and predictors of service referral among police. Findings revealed officers were relatively likely to provide referrals and held somewhat favorable attitudes of advocates. Knowledge of services and positive perceptions of advocates increased the frequency of service referral to victims. Implications and future research directions are discussed. </jats:p>

Providing Support to Victims: Police Officers’ Service Referral Provision and Advocate Involvement in Domestic Violence Incidents

“…Patriarchal socialization has promoted traditional gender norms within heterosexual relationships and excused partner violence (see Johnson, 1997;Martin, 1975). This has influenced schema surrounding DV and can impact the manner in which police respond (Franklin et al, 2019;Goodson et al, 2020), including their attributions of severity, seriousness, and culpability. Indeed, empirical studies have documented police officers' dearth of understanding regarding the complex psychological dynamics of relationship abuse.…”

“…Research has suggested police have been inconsistent in providing service referral information to DV victims who present for assistance (Corcoran et al, 2001;Goodson et al, 2020;Jones & Belknap, 1999;Kernic & Bonomi, 2007;Oppenlander, 1982;Ruff, 2012;Swerin et al, 2018). Early research reported DV referrals in 3% to 4% of calls for service (Ferraro, 1989;Oppenlander, 1982).…”

“…Among these incidents, police informed victims of services available through a witness coordinator in 11% of cases (Ruff, 2012). Most recently, Goodson et al (2020) examined self-reported frequency of service referral to IPV and sexual assault victims among 452 police officer participants. On average, police officers were relatively likely to provide victims with resource information (Goodson et al, 2020).…”

“…Furthermore, officer demographics, occupational characteristics, and police attitudes have predicted service referral (Belknap & McCall, 1994;Goodson et al, 2020;Homat & Kennedy, 1985;Stalans & Finn,1995Sun, 2007). Women police personnel (Homat & Kennedy, 1985;Stalans & Finn, 2000;Sun, 2007) and older officers have been more likely to provide services to DV victims compared to men and younger police practitioners.…”

“…Of particular importance has been understanding service referral decisions by police officers because direct resource provision and advocate involvement have been effective tools in the trauma-informed response to DV (Department of Justice, 2015). Indeed, research has suggested victim- (Buzawa & Hotaling, 2006;Kernic & Bonomi, 2007;Sun, 2007), suspect- (Kernic & Bonomi, 2007), case- Stalans & Finn, 2000;Swerin et al, 2018), and officer characteristics (Belknap & McCall, 1994;Goodson et al, 2020;Homat & Kennedy, 1985;Sun, 2007) have predicted police-initiated victim service referral. While fruitful, this research has largely been atheoretical, limited in scope, and needs additional exploration.…”