This project will explore the police response to domestic abuse in Wales including policy implementation and victim satisfaction.
| Lead institution | |
|---|---|
| Principal researcher(s) |
Daniel Welch
|
| Police region |
Wales
|
| Level of research |
PhD
|
| Project start date |
|
| Date due for completion |
|
Research context
In 2010 a European Commission suggested that domestic abuse is a high priority for the European Union due the scale and nature of the issue. However, in England and Wales the Criminal Justice response to domestic abuse, namely that of the police service, appears to dismiss the significance of this statement.
On paper, domestic abuse is noted as a key priority for the UK Government, along with 43 Home Office police forces in England and Wales. However, the police response to domestic abuse is one which greatly questions this commitment.
In 2014 Her Majesties Inspectorate of Constabulary highlighted a number of critical failings by the police, explicitly related to the poor response and attitudes of the police to domestic abuse incidents. Whilst many changes appear to have been made since the 2014 report, a critical examination of official statistics released by local police forces within Wales, appear to raise some fundamental questions to the police service, specifically related to the application of police policy.
Research methodology
Method one – focus groups with victims of domestic abuse
The researcher firstly proposes that four focus groups be carried out within each police force area; North Wales, Dyfed Powys, Gwent and South Wales. Thus matching the aims and objective of the research.
The focus group will be facilitated by registered and active domestic abuse services across Wales, 4 focus groups, which will include between 6 and 10 participants in each focus group.
Method two – questionnaire to police officers in Wales (from each force)
Approximately 100 officers will be involved (25 from each force).
Method three – semi-structured interview with senior ranking officers and policy markers
Interim reports or publications
Welch, D. (2017) ’Coercive Control: One Year On’, Police Professional, Issue 545: 25-26
Rogers, C. & Welch, D. (2016). Cultural perceptions. Police Professional. June, issue 509. P.16-17
Welch, D. (2016). Domestic abuse – A continuing problem for police. Australasian Institute for Policing Journal. 8 (1)