Research on Innovative Law Enforcement Responses to Crimes against Vulnerable Victims

Session Submission Type: Complete Thematic Panel

Abstract/Description

This panel presents findings from five studies on law enforcement practice in investigations involving vulnerable victims. Victims in these cases are not only experiencing the impact of criminal victimization, but face additional vulnerability concerns because of their age, legal status, their relationship with the offender, or other status vulnerabilities. These investigations require law enforcement to assess safety, apprehend offenders, and collect evidence while also responding in ways that consider the unique needs of these victims. The first paper presents findings from qualitative research on the collaboration between law enforcement and a Domestic Abuse Response Team (DART) in cases of IPV. The second paper presents qualitative data on firearm removal by police in IPV investigations. The third paper presents data from a national law enforcement survey on innovative investigation approaches with technology-facilitated crimes against children. The fourth paper presents qualitative research findings on law enforcement work in cases of commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC). Finally, the fifth paper presents findings from a study of the complexities in legal advocates’ and police work in cases of labor trafficking. Panel presenters will highlight implications of their research for police best practices in these challenging cases.

Sub Unit

• Area VI. The Criminal Justice System / 43. Police Strategies, Interventions, and Evaluations

Individual Presentations

• The Houston Police Department’s Domestic Abuse Response Team (DART): The Impact of Program Involvement on Survivor and Police Perceptions - Rebecca Pfeffer, RTI International; Julie Pleasant, Houston Police Department; Peyton Scalise, RTI International; Elizabeth Tibaduiza, RTI International; Kelle Barrick, RTI International

• Intimate Partner Violence Survivor Perspectives on Firearm Removal by Law Enforcement - Jaclyn Houston-Kolnik, RTI International; Josie Sivaraman, RTI International; Lilly Yu, RTI International

• Innovative Approaches by Law Enforcement in the Investigation of Technology-Facilitated Crimes against Children - Lisa M. Jones, University of New Hampshire; Kimberly J. Mitchell, University of New Hampshire

• Innovative Solutions in Law Enforcement Response to CSEC crimes - Ayelet Prior, University of New Hampshire; Jennifer O'Brien, University of Texas at Austin; Alli Puchlopek-Adams, University of New Hampshire; David Finkelhor, University of New Hampshire; Kimberly J. Mitchell, University of New Hampshire

• Navigating Police Partnerships: Legal Advocates and the Challenges of Serving Labor Trafficking Victims - Amelia Wagner, Northeastern University; Amy Farrell, Northeastern University; Chase Childress, Northeastern University; Shawn Bhimani, Northeastern University; Kayse Lee Maass, Northeastern University