Situational, Community, and State Policy-Level Factors Associated with Arrest in Incidents of Intimate Partner Violence

Abstract

This study explored situational-, community-, and state policy-level factors associated with arrest in incidents involving violence among heterosexual couples. We employed 3-level regression models with Bayesian estimation to determine factors that influence female-only arrest, male-only arrest, and dual arrest, compared to incidents resulting in no arrest. At the situational level, differences by offense type were seen. The odds of a male’s arrest were significantly higher across all offense types, except for sexual assault, larceny, and fraud. The odds of a female partner's arrest were significantly higher across all offenses except larceny, robbery, and fraud. The odds of dual arrest were significantly higher in incidents involving simple assault, aggravated assault, intimidation, but not sexual assault, kidnapping, property crime, larceny, and robbery. The odds of arrest were higher across the board among incidents involving a victim injury, a weapon, mutual violence, and perpetrator substance use. At the community level, few factors were related to arrest. At the state policy level, mandatory arrest statutes increased the odds of a single arrest in comparison to jurisdictions with officer discretion, regardless of perpetrator sex, but had no impact on dual arrest. Primary aggressor policies were unrelated to arrest outcomes. Implications for research and practice are discussed.