Over the past few months, WIT held a series of internal conversations to elicit feedback from our clients and staff on the complex relationship between police and survivors of domestic violence. The police are often one of the few resources survivors have during a domestic violence emergency and often play a critical role in the safety of survivors. WIT staff occasionally coordinate with the police to ensure a client’s safety or to assist a client in retrieving their belongings when they are being threatened by their abuser. However, as we learned in our internal focus groups, despite the power the police have to keep survivors safe, working with them is often a mixed bag. Clients reported large inconsistencies in police response and behavior. Many felt that the police were unprepared to handle the dynamics of domestic abuse situations, often only recognizing more extreme forms of physical abuse, property damage or threats, when we know abuse can entail so much more.
Along those same lines, both staff advocates and clients pointed out that the language used to signify danger by the police is not necessarily the same language used by survivors. For example, “are you in danger?” is a question often asked by the police but that word can mean different things to survivors whose sense of danger has adapted to their daily reality. Beyond the issue of language, clients in the focus group noted a lack of respect. One client was laughed at when she attempted to report abuse and another client rarely received a call back from the detective assigned to their case. This is unacceptable. Unfortunately, the majority of clients in our focus group characterized their experiences with the police as primarily negative.
Clients' backgrounds and identities greatly influence both their expectations for police and their treatment. One client shared that she was afraid to call the police because of the violence they may inflict on the teenage sons of her neighbors in a mostly Black neighborhood. The lack of trust in the police in many communities negates the potential positive role that police can play in supporting survivors.
WIT staff expressed concern that while the police can be a life-saving resource for survivors, too often DV calls are not prioritized or the police never respond at all. This sends a harmful message to survivors that the very people who are supposed to protect them will not be there when called on.
In terms of moving forward, clients called for changes to procedures. For example, many agreed that a 911 call for IPV/DV should automatically bring in a trained counselor who works with a trauma-informed approach. Some looked forward to a day when survivors did not have to interact with the police at all. Almost everyone agreed that an increased level of speed, responsiveness, and seriousness is needed.
The question we ask ourselves at WIT is “How can we create safer communities?” This is not a simple question for it calls for change at every societal level. As a beginning, WIT proposes the following action steps:
When safety planning with clients, make sure to discuss what their rights are, and what the potential dangers may be when interacting with the police
Influence policies and procedures, develop personal relationships with people in police departments, and advocate for ways to train police officers differently
Police don’t operate in isolation. Public health issues overlap each other. At WIT were are joining coalitions to address issues like affordable housing that have a significant impact on survivors and their families. See WIT’s article on affordable housing: https://www.helpwomen.org/updates/2021/affordablehousingandv
What can you do? Contact your local representatives and talk to them about the need for a more trauma-informed response from police for domestic violence situations. Get involved in coalitions to advocate for issues like affordable housing and living wages. Safety is everyone’s responsibility.