Policing Domestic Abuse

Katy Barrow-Grint is a Chief Superintendent in Thames Valley Police with over 20 years of police experience. She has an academic interest in Domestic Abuse, completing her Masters at Warwick Business School, and has written on domestic abuse attrition rates in the Criminal Justice System.Jacqueline Sebire is an Assistant Chief Constable with Bedfordshire Police. She has 30 years of police service specialising as a detective in homicide and safeguarding and public protection. She has a PhD in Psychology from the University of Leicester researching the risk factors associated with domestic abuse homicide.Jackie Turton is an Emeritus Professor in the Department of Sociology at Essex University. She joined the university after a career in the health service and has taught sociology and criminology since 1996. Family violence is a key focus of her research work.Dr Ruth Weir is a Senior Research Fellow in the Violence and Society Centre at City University. She specialises in using quantitative methods and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to analyse gender-based violence and abuse. Prior to working in academia Ruth held several research and policy positions in local government and the Home Office.

• 1. Introduction; 2. What is domestic abuse?; 3. Measuring the extent of domestic abuse; 4. Assessing risk; 5. The law, policing policy, and the courts; 6. Victims; 7 Perpetrators; 8.Coordinated solutions to domestic abuse; 9. Policing domestic abuse within the organisation, 10. Policing domestic abuse – reflections and new directions.

An essential read for the many police staff, officers and leaders who care about applying evidence based practice in protecting victims from domestic abuse and securing justice for them. Louisa Rolfe, Metropolitan Police, National Police Chief Council lead for DA"Policing Domestic Violence offers practical, policing-based strategies for how to better support victims–survivors of domestic violence abuse, facilitate robust risk assessments, and ensure that all perpetrators are held accountable for committing violence against women and children. The book also considers and summarises the implications of police failure to protect actual and potential victims–survivors, using case studies to offer ways forward for rebuilding trust across all aspect of policing these crimes. Written in a clear and accessible way, this book addresses the importance of police work in revealing some of the ways in which multi-agency and multi-disciplinary cooperation work in practice. It also illuminates the possible unintended consequences of particular interventions."Aisha K. Gill, Professor of Criminology, Social Sciences, University of RoehamptonI can only recommend this great book to every young police officer (and maybe a couple of old hands too), as it manages to unpick this extremely complex topic of Domestic Abuse in a very accessible and practical and holistic way. I am convinced that it will make a great contribution to society as it will help us to learn to deal with this difficult topic.Tom Kirchmaier, Director of the Policing and Crime research group, London School EconomicsFrom recognition to response, domestic abuse presents profound challenges for policing. It is an old problem that constantly requires new thinking as we grapple with lockdowns, a housing deficit, and digital forms of violence and control. The authors are uniquely placed to provide the guide that is needed for 21st century policing.Nigel South, Emeritus Professor of Sociology, University of EssexProviding an effective and informed response to domestic abuse is of enormous importance. This comprehensive and timely text draws together research on the nature, dynamics and consequences of domestic abuse alongside policy, legislation and developments in policing practice. Vividly written, it is essential reading for frontline police professionals, as well as academics and students concerned with how best to identify, respond to and prevent domestic abuse in the pandemic era.This is a timely and unique book, in that it blends the voices and expertise of academics and police practitioners to advance practice and understanding relating to the policing of domestic abuse. Although the domestic abuse crisis predates the pandemic, the past couple of years are testament to how important it is that we retain a sharp focus on tackling and responding to domestic abuse in all of its forms - so it is fantastic to see this collaboration come to fruition, and produce such a useful and practical resource. Michele Burman, Professor of Criminology, University of GlasgowThis is a courageous and inspiring book addressing everyday challenges in policing domestic abuse, from definitions and measurement to assessing risk, intersectionality in victimisation to effective treatment options. Its blend of academic research and theory, legal developments and practical applications make it a must read for operational police officers, academics and those in allied agenciesLoraine Gelsthorpe, Director, Institute of Criminology, University of CambridgeThis is a timely and unique book, in that it blends the voices and expertise of academics and police practitioners to advance practice and understanding relating to the policing of domestic abuse. Although the domestic abuse crisis predates the pandemic, the past couple of years are testament to how important it is that we retain a sharp focus on tackling and responding to domestic abuse in all of its forms - so it is fantastic to see this collaboration come to fruition, and produce such a useful and practical resource.Kelly Johnson, Assistant Professor in Criminology, Department of Sociology, Centre for Research into Violence and Abuse