Practical Implications of Current Domestic Violence Research: For Law Enforcement, Prosecutors and Judges
Published June 2009
Chapter 3. Offender Characteristics
Section 16 — Are there other common risk factors associated with reabuse?
Several studies have found other consistent risk markers for reabuse, many associated with the variables described above. These include increased risk associated with abusers who flee the scene of domestic violence [23]; abusers who are unemployed [13, 25, 142, 154, 172], economically disadvantaged and living in disadvantaged neighborhoods [153], or living in a household with firearms [25, 142]; or abusers who are not the fathers of children in the household. [25, 142]
Implications for Law Enforcement
Law enforcement officers recording the status of the above variables in their initial reports will provide valuable data for the determination of risk in future bail hearings, charging decisions and sentencing reports. (Research basis: These specific risk factors generally have been found in multiple studies but may vary in relevance and power across jurisdictions.)
Implications for Prosecutors and Judges
Prosecutors and judges should review the status of the above variables for determination of risk to be used in bail hearings, charging decisions, sentencing recommendations and decisions, and fashioning civil protective orders and conditions of probation supervision. (Research basis: These specific risk factors generally have been found in multiple studies but may vary in relevance and power across jurisdictions.)
3-15 – Are victims accurate predictors of reabuse?
3-17 – What factors are not associated with reabuse?
