Handbook for Police Responding to Domestic Violence

Promoting Safer Communities by Integrating Research & Practice

by the Centre for Children and Families in the Justice System (2004). A resource funded by the Department of Justice and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

Many dangers and frustrations associated with police response to domestic violence are inherent in the law enforcement role. Knowledge about the dynamics of violence in intimate relationships may assist officers to respond in ways that are most useful and supportive to the victim. It may also help officers to understand why their best attempts to intervene are so often met with resistance, and to tolerate the reality that repetitive police interventions may be necessary. Understanding the potential benefits of intervening with children exposed to domestic violence may assist officers in feeling part of the solution and contributing to a meaningful community collaboration to reduce violence in future generations.

Download a Copy

Using Adobe Acrobat Reader, you can download a copy of the 32-page Handbook for Police Responding to Domestic Violence.

Table of Contents

• Purpose of this Handbook

• Introduction

• Definition of Terms

• Domestic Violence: What is it?

  • Description

  • Core Characteristics

• Understanding the Impact of Children and Adolescents Exposed to Domestic Violence

  • How are Children and Adolescents Affected

  • Potential Impacts at Different Developmental Stages

• Special Considerations for Police Officers and Promising Practices

  • Distinguishing Features of Domestic Violence Crimes

  • Recognizing the Presence of Children at the Scene

  • Assessing Risk in Domestic Violence Situations

  • Assessing and Responding to Risks to Children

  • Issues Related to Dual Arrests in Domestic Violence Cases and its Impact on Children

  • Benefiting Children and Families through Collaborations and Coordinated Community Responses

  • Specialized Training to Promote Effective Law Enforcement Interventions

• Appendix A: Resources

• Appendix B: References

Train-the-Trainer Manual

This 2004 handbook is based on material from Children Exposed to Violence: A Handbook for Police Trainers to Increase Understanding and Improve Community Responses from 2002.

Ordering Information

Copies may ordered for $20.00 plus the cost of postage and handling. See our Publication Order Form for more information.

En français

Disponible en français: Guide à l'intention des policiers qui interviennent dans les cas de violence familiale : promouvoir des communautés plus sûres en intégrant la recherche et la practique