@article{ref1,
title="Understanding the factors that predict victim retraction in police reported allegations of intimate partner violence",
journal="Psychology of violence",
year="2017",
author="Sleath, Emma and Smith, Lisa L.",
volume="7",
number="1",
pages="140-149",
abstract="OBJECTIVE: A large number of victims of intimate partner violence (IPV), who report their victimization to the police, subsequently either retract or disengage from the police investigation. Given that we have a very limited understanding of victim retraction/disengagement in IPV cases, this study addresses this gap by identifying the victim, perpetrator, and offense characteristics that predict retraction/disengagement. <br><br>METHOD: Cases of police-reported IPV (n = 524) were analyzed to examine victim, perpetrator, and offense characteristics that may predict retraction or disengagement as well as examining the reasons given for retracting/disengaging from the police investigation. <br><br>RESULTS: The results indicated a high level of retraction or disengagement from police investigations. Victim and perpetrator characteristics did not predict retraction or disengagement; however, in comparison with cases in which the victims maintain engagement with the case, a number of offense related characteristics (e.g., risk assessment level) did predict retraction and disengagement. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Victim retraction and disengagement is a significant issue in the successful prosecution of IPV cases, and the findings suggest that certain offense related characteristics increase the likelihood of victim retraction/disengagement. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2017 APA, all rights reserved)<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="2152-0828",
doi="10.1037/vio0000035",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/vio0000035"
}