Investigating Law Enforcement Responses and Victim Satisfaction by Trauma Type Reported

• In Event: Poster Session 1

Abstract

Many interpersonal trauma victims describe poor responses from law enforcement (e.g., being blamed, doubted, or judged). These poor interactions or systemic betrayals impact both victims’ and case outcomes. Despite this, little research examines the differences in responses to interpersonal trauma (e.g., assault) victims and non-interpersonal trauma (e.g., car accident) victims. The present study addresses this gap by examining perceptions of law enforcement responses to reporting and the likelihood to report future events by trauma type.

Participants (n=40; 72.5% White; 85.0% women; M age=20.0 years, SD age=2.1; 50.0% interpersonal trauma) were recruited from two large southeastern universities to complete an ongoing study of trauma exposure and disclosure. Included participants experienced at least one traumatic event and reported the trauma that impacts them the most to law enforcement.

An independent sample t-test revealed that interpersonal trauma victims reported experiencing more negative responses (p=.023) and lower satisfaction (p=.016) when reporting to law enforcement than victims who reported a non-interpersonal trauma. Notably, victims’ likelihood to seek future help from law enforcement did not differ by trauma type.

These systemic betrayals have rippling effects on survivors' health outcomes. Future research may study the effect of interventions designed to increase trauma-informed law enforcement responses.

Authors

• Hailie Rose Suarez-Rivas, Auburn University

• Hannah Sawyer, Auburn University

• Seba Bakoyema, Auburn University

• Emily J. Lubin, Auburn University

• Jessalyn Ellis, Georgia State University

• K. Nicole Mullican, Georgia State University

• Laura Salazar, Georgia State University

• Janice Clifford, Auburn University

• Amanda Gilmore, Georgia State University

• Emma C. Lathan-Powell, Auburn University