The Reporting of Intimate Partner Violence to the Police: The Importance of Trust in Police

• In Event: Help-Seeking and Reporting Decisions for Crime and Victimization

Abstract

National surveys have consistently revealed that intimate partner violence has been a significant public health issue in the United States. Even though numerous studies have attempted to explore the risk factors for intimate partner violence (IPV), significantly fewer studies have examined the factors influencing victims’ willingness to report violence to law enforcement, especially victims in a Hispanic community. The current study examined the effect of victims’ trust in police on victims’ willingness to report IVP experience to law enforcement. Data used in the study were collected from a Hispanic institution located at the Mexico-United States border. Research findings indicate that victims who trust police are more likely to report the violence to the police. Policy implications were discussed in the study.

Authors

• Rachel Rayburn, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

• Tania Diaz, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

• Yudu Li, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley