Improving Policing Responses to Domestic Violence and Abuse: Findings from collaborative academic work in England and Wales

Session Submission Type: Pre-arranged Panel

Abstract

Police responses to domestic and sexual violence have been a longstanding matter of concern, in recent years pushed to crisis point through a series of high-profile cases in England and Wales. In response, there has been a wealth of government and police-led activity seeking to address issues such as improving safeguarding, low prosecution rates, high levels of attrition, and poor officer understanding and attitudes. However, to date, case outcomes, victim experience and public confidence in the policing of these areas have remained stubbornly low.

In this panel, we present findings and work from one pilot academic study, ‘Bright Light,’ which builds on the previous ‘Operation Soteria’ - both of which have been conducted in collaboration with police forces and government in England and Wales. These projects have sought to capture some of the current challenges pertaining to police responses to domestic and sexual violence, and to examine and develop avenues for lasting positive change.

Papers will be given by academic teams working on different facets of the policing response (see Hohl and Stanko 2024) – focussing on aspects such as domestic violence investigation, officer learning and understanding, victim-survivor safeguarding and procedural justice, and the collection of digital evidence. Collectively, the papers and panel discussions will focus on identifying key implications stemming from our work for policing and gender-based violence research, policy and practice going forwards.

Subtopic

• Topic 5: Social Control and Criminal Justice / Policing and Law enforcement (Policing WG)

Chair

• Kelly Johnson, Glasgow University

Individual Presentations

• Operation ‘Bright Light’ Pilot for Domestic Abuse: Understanding key challenges for improving responses to victim-survivors - Kelly Johnson, Glasgow University; Michele Jane Burman, University of Glasgow; Charlotte Barlow, University of Central Lancaster

• Operation ‘Bright Light’ Pilot for Domestic Abuse: New directions through the challenging landscape of investigating domestic abuse crimes - Amanda Robinson, Cardiff University; Duncan McPhee, University of the West of England; Bethan Davies, Cardiff University

• Operation ‘Bright Light’ Pilot for Domestic Abuse: The importance of digital evidence when investigating domestic abuse cases - Tiggey May, ICPR, Birkbeck, University of London; Emily Holtham, Birkbeck University

• Operation ‘Bright Light’ Pilot of Domestic Abuse: The role of specialist knowledge in the police response to domestic abuse. - Emma Williams, Anglia Ruskin University, UK; Richard Harding, Anglia Ruskin University