Domestic Violence, Community Policing Strategies for

Domestic violence, also known as intimate partner violence, is dangerous not only for the victim but also for the law enforcement officers who respond to these service calls. Efforts to intervene and prevent intimate partner violence are important not only for the primary victim but also for any secondary victims such as children who are growing up in an environment filled with violence and abuse. In recent years, greater emphasis has focused on the long-term detrimental consequences of simply witnessing abuse. Given the cyclical nature, intensity, and potential lethality of this crime, greater efforts are being made within law enforcement, the criminal justice system, and the community to address intimate partner violence. This entry examines strategies for applying community policing to this critical issue.