Decisions of Arrest in a Case of Domestic Assault: Gender, Sexual Orientation and Masculinity/Femininity

• In Event: Poster Session

Abstract

This study investigated police response and arrest choice in a case of assault among domestic partners. Participants (N = 307 students and N = 376 adults) read a case scenario of a clearly initiated assault in which assailant gender, masculinity/femininity of assailant and sexual orientation were manipulated. Of preferred police response (talk to couple, issue citation, arrest) the majority of students (78%) and adults (80%) opted for police to make an arrest. When choosing who should be arrested (assailant only, victim only, assailant and victim, neither), students were more likely to choose to arrest male assailants who assaulted a female. Of those opting to arrest the victim, 100% preferred to arrest a heterosexual male victim. Dual arrests were more common in same-sex couples. Adults were more likely to choose to arrest the assailant only, despite assailant gender or sexual orientation. Adults opted for assailant arrest more often when the assailant was a masculine female in a same-sex relationship. Dual arrests were also more common for feminine female and masculine male assailants in same sex relationships. This study provides information on the role of perceived assailant masculinity/femininity and denotes the importance of additional research on differences amongst student and adult samples.

Authors

• Brooke Lerro, Pennsylvania State University, Berks

• Roberto Santiago, Pennsylvania State University, Berks

• Brenda L. Russell, Pennsylvania State University, Berks