Police involvement in cases of intimate partner violence against women: the influence of perceived severity and personal responsibility

Violence Against Women. 2008 Jun;14(6):697-714. doi: 10.1177/1077801208317288.

Abstract

The influence of perceived severity and sense of personal responsibility of police officers on their level of involvement in cases of intimate partner violence against women is analyzed. Three levels of police involvement are considered: low, medium, and high. The sample consists of 143 Spanish police officers. A 2 x 2 x 3 factorial design is conducted to test hypotheses. Effects of perceived severity and personal responsibility are found only at the highest level of police involvement. For low and medium levels of involvement, no differences in perceived severity and personal responsibility of police officers are found.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Battered Women*
  • Emergency Medical Services / organization & administration
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interpersonal Relations
  • Law Enforcement
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Police / organization & administration*
  • Risk Assessment / methods
  • Risk Management / organization & administration*
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Social Environment
  • Spain
  • Spouse Abuse / prevention & control*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Women's Health