Date

4-28-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Human Services: Emphasis in Forensic Behavioral Health

Department

Human Services

Abstract

Domestic violence (DV) is a global issue that disproportionately impacts women, producing harmful consequences for victims, families, and the community. DV involves a multifaceted interplay of individual, social, cultural, and policy elements, with intimate partner violence (IPV) representing the primary risk factor for intimate partner homicide (IPH), highlighting male-perpetrated DV as a focal concern. This review of existing literature thoroughly elucidates the predominant roots, consequences, and risk factors associated with DV, underscoring the significance of cultural awareness, trauma-informed care (TIC), and the application of evidence-based risk assessment tools within law enforcement (LE) frameworks. LE officers are uniquely positioned to detect and inform victims of risk factors, impose legal sanctions, and connect victims to accessible services and resources. Limitations in the performance of DV risk assessment by LE officers propose that barriers persist in the identification of high-risk victims, particularly in recognizing the crucial risk of coercive control. Bias, incognizance, insufficient methods, a lack of cultural awareness, and TIC may influence the interpretation and assessment of a DV incident, resulting in discrepancies in the evaluated level of risk. A considerable percentage of DV perpetrators have a documented history of abuse towards the victim, having had prior interactions with LE in the 12 months before perpetrating IPH. This discovery signifies that these encounters may represent an overlooked opportunity to prevent future violence. The propositions addressed in this exploration may benefit the LE profession by supplying vital knowledge for identifying risk factors for DV and IPH through a holistic, cultural, and trauma-informed lens.

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