NCJ Number
52809
Journal
Howard Journal of Penology and Crime Prevention Volume: 17 Issue: 3 Dated: (1978) Pages: 160-168
Date Published
1978
Length
9 pages
Annotation
DATA ON ALL DOMESTIC DISPUTES REPORTED TO POLICE IN NINE SMALL RESIDENTIAL AREAS OF SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND, FROM MARCH THROUGH DECEMBER 1974 ARE ANALYZED.
Abstract
THE DATA, WHICH ARE TAKEN FROM RECORDS KEPT BY POLICE ON ALL REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE RECEIVED FROM THE PUBLIC, REFLECT 170 SEPARATE INCIDENTS. THE ANALYSIS EXCLUDES INCIDENTS THAT WERE EVENTUALLY CLASSIFIED AS INDICTABLE OFFENSES. A GENERALLY HIGH RATE OF DOMESTIC DISPUTES IS FOUND. IN ONE STUDY AREA, 1 IN 20 HOUSEHOLDS WAS INVOLVED IN A REPORTED DISPUTE OVER THE 10-MONTH PERIOD. FEW HOUSEHOLDS WERE INVOLVED IN MORE THAN ONE DISPUTE. HUSBAND-WIFE DISPUTES ACCOUNTED FOR 42.4 PERCENT OF THE INCIDENTS, PARENT-CHILD DISPUTES FOR 14.1 PERCENT, AND DISPUTES INVOLVING GIRLFRIENDS AND BOYFRIENDS OR RIVAL BOYFRIENDS FOR 11.7 PERCENT. DOMESTIC DISPUTES OCCURRED MOST COMMONLY DURING THE LATE EVENING AND NIGHT, ALTHOUGH A CONSIDERABLE MINORITY TOOK PLACE IN THE DAYTIME. THE NUMBER OF REPORTED DOMESTIC DISPUTES IN EACH AREA WAS RELATED TO THE AREA'S OFFENDER RATE BUT NOT TO THE QUALITY OR TYPE OF HOUSING IN THE AREA. THE FINDINGS INDICATE THAT IN SOME COMMUNITIES DOMESTIC DISPUTES ARE SUFFICIENTLY PERVASIVE TO CONSTITUTE A PROBLEM. THE POSSIBILITY THAT POLICE SHOULD DO MORE TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM, PERHAPS BY OFFERING REFERRAL SERVICES, IS RAISED. SUPPORTING DATA AND A LIST OF REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. (LKM)