Intimate Partner Homicide and Access to Services at the County Level

• In Event: Preventing Intimate Partner Violence Homicide

Abstract

Intimate partner homicide (IPH) is the most extreme form of violence experienced between romantic partners. Research demonstrates that barriers exist in access to domestic violence resources or services that have the potential to prevent intimate partner violence (IPV) from becoming lethal. However, limited research has been conducted to understand the possible relationships that exist between IPH and access to these types of services. Also, this body of research tends to limit their examination to access or availability of domestic violence shelters. The current study sets out to further this literature by examining various health and public services that may have an impact on IPH victimization at the county-level. In addition to domestic violence shelters, other services of interest include child advocacy centers, career centers or job placement centers, and coordinated community responses to domestic violence. Structural characteristics (i.e., in terms of poverty, unemployment, and education) that may impact access to services will also be examined. Policy implications will be discussed.

Authors

• Kayla Toohy, University of Central Florida

• Amy Reckdenwald, University of Central Florida