Victims’ Perceptions of Police Response to Intimate Partner Violence

Police officers have historically been criticized for ignoring the seriousness of intimate partner violence (IPV) and for dismissing victims’ needs. Many jurisdictions in the United States have implemented policies encouraging or mandating the arrest of IPV offenders in an attempt to address these shortcomings. However, a more aggressive police response has not necessarily changed victims’ perceptions of officers or improved victim–officer interactions. In this article, using both qualitative interview data and data from existing literature, I examine the victims’ understandings of IPV, particularly in the context of mandatory and preferred arrest policies, and consider how these understandings likely shape victims’ interactions with police officers. I also discuss implications for the future policing of IPV.