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Domestic Violence: Breaking the Cycle

NCJ Number
128326
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 58 Issue: 2 Dated: (February 1991) Pages: 35-36,38
Author(s)
S R Paisner
Date Published
1991
Length
3 pages
Annotation
Law enforcement agencies should recognize that domestic violence is a crime and should establish pro-arrest policies and police officer training to reduce the incidence of domestic violence, help victims regain self-confidence and seek help, make it clear to assailants that they are criminal offenders, and help children learn acceptable nonviolent method of communication.
Abstract
Several factors perpetuate the cycle of violence. Ninety-five percent of domestic assaults are committed by men, usually weak people with poor self-images who are trying to control their victims. Assailants are also emotionally dependent on their mates and often beg victims not to leave them. In addition, victims are often emotionally and financially dependent on their mates. Furthermore, police often lack proper training on how to respond due to lack of written policies and an absence of positive support from law enforcement administrators. However, police agencies across the country are implementing policies that empower police officers to make arrests if they have probable cause to believe that a crime has been committed. Such policies will be effective only if street officers receive extensive training both on policy and procedures and on the philosophy on which the policy is based. Such efforts will help break the cycle of violence that is perpetuated throughout generations.