Final answer:
A written report is generally considered a necessary step in documenting incidents of assault and battery or family abuse. Documentation is essential for legal processes and for understanding the scope and impact of domestic violence.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to whether a written report is required in instances of assault and battery against a family or household member, or family abuse, irrespective of whether an arrest has been made. In the realm of law enforcement, it is essential to document incidents of domestic violence and abuse.
This documentation can aid in subsequent legal actions, help protect victims, and contribute to gathering accurate statistics on domestic violence.
Research like the one conducted by Felson, Ackerman, and Gallagher (2005) emphasizes the complexity of addressing domestic abuse, highlighting how abuse can be underreported or denied by victims. Moreover, accurate statistics on Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) are challenging to ascertain, as many instances go unreported. However, reports and statistical data play a critical role in understanding and dealing with the societal impacts of such violence.