Policing intimate partner violence using crime script analysis and situational crime prevention

Background

The policing response to intimate partner violence in Queensland continues to fall short of community expectations. Numerous reviews have identified, and continue to identify, shortfalls in the policing response, including officer understanding of the dynamics of intimate partner violence and coercive control.

Aim

The aim of the study is threefold. First, the project aims to develop diverse intimate partner violence scripts drawing on the work of Cornish (1994). This first study will identify diversity and variables significantly associated with different script tracks. Next, an exploration of victimisation and offending histories of intimate partner violence involved will provide greater clarity on whether criminal histories relate to the diverse scripts from study one. The last study aims to identify situational crime prevention and early intervention to better support responding officers.

Methods

A mixed-methods approach will be utilised including qualitative thematic analysis, cluster analysis and frequency/distribution statistics. Quantitative analysis conducted using SPSS will include ANOVA/MANOVA and descriptive statistics. Finally, vignettes will be used to understand how experienced professionals identify and respond to differing levels of intimate partner violence risk.

Significance

The significance of the study is the development of Queensland-specific diverse intimate partner violence scripts, and understanding of the impact criminal histories may have on victimisation and offending within relationships. It will also support development of a toolkit for use by frontline officers to help them better identify risk and opportunities for prevention and intervention – thus reducing ongoing harm.

Funding Body

N/A

Funding Budget

N/A

Project start date

July 2018

Expected completion date

July 2024