RT Article
T1 Police Officers Do Not Need More Training; But Different Training. Policing Domestic Violence and Abuse Involving Children: A Rapid Review
JF Journal of family violence
VO 37
IS 7
SP 1071
OP 1088
A1 Millar, Annemarie
A2 Saxton, Michael
A2 Øverlien, Carolina
A2 Elliffe, Ruth
LA English
YR 2022
UL https://krimdok.uni-tuebingen.de/Record/1816392006
AB Although the police have been identified as a key service provider when responding to domestic violence and abuse (DVA), very few studies have investigated their response in relation to children. This review aims to examine children’s experiences of police response in the context of DVA and to explore how the police understand and respond to children living with DVA. A rapid review of the empirical literature on the police response to DVA involving children was undertaken. PsycINFO, Web of Science and ProQuest were searched. Studies with a qualitative element, concerning children under 18 with experience of police involvement, or police experiences of children, in the context of DVA were included. The final sample comprised of six studies. Using reflexive thematic analysis, four key themes emerged in relation to children: children’s experiences of DVA; fear, uncertainty, and mistrust of police; confronting “childism”: a matter of children’s rights; and going beyond empathy: equality and justice. Regarding the police, three key themes emerged: variability in police response; limited view of police role; lack of professional competence. The findings underscore the need for awareness raising and an urgent review of the training officers receive regarding the impact of DVA on children. They also highlight the pivotal role of police when responding to DVA where children are present, as well as to advance the frontiers of research by including not only adults and professionals but also the most vulnerable DVA victim: the child.
K1 Law Enforcement Officer
K1 Police Officer
K1 Family Violence
K1 Intimate Partner Violence
K1 Domestic Violence
K1 Domestic Abuse
K1 Child
K1 Children
DO 10.1007/s10896-021-00325-x