Question

With regard to a domestic violence incident, the investigating officer, the officer's immediate supervisor or another assigned officer will contact the victim _____ following the incident to determine if there are additional signs of injury, if the victim has had recent contact with the offender and if there is a need for referrals or further assistance. Follow-up information will be documented on a supplemental report.

Answer 1

The question pertains to law enforcement's follow-up process in cases of domestic violence to ensure the wellbeing of the victim and to gather additional information for a supplemental report, critical steps given the high rates of unreported or undisclosed abuse.

Step-by-step explanation:

Regarding a domestic violence incident, the procedure specified involves post-incident follow-up whereby the investigating officer, or another designated individual, contacts the victim shortly after the incident. This contact is crucial to determine if there are additional signs of injury, any recent interactions between the victim and the offender, and if any further assistance or referrals are required. The follow-up information gathered must be carefully documented in a supplemental report. The importance of this procedure is underscored by research indicating that abuse reports are often not initially confirmed by victims. For instance, according to Felson, Ackerman, and Gallagher (2005), 29 percent of domestic violence victims denied abuse when approached by law enforcement. Furthermore, victim reluctance to report abuse can stem from various reasons, such as anticipated reprisals from abusers or viewing the abuse as a private matter. Moreover, intimate partner violence (IPV) is frequently underreported with many victims experiencing abuse for years before the first report (Carlson, Harris, and Holden 1999). Thus, diligent follow-ups by law enforcement are imperative in providing victims necessary support and in the documentation of domestic abuse cases.