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Abstract
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This study looks at the experiences and
perceptions that domestic violence victims reported with Mills's power
model. The victims' partners were the primary research participants in an
arrest experiment. The following were empirically examined: the occurrence of
violence following suspect arrest, victim perceptions of personal and legal
power, victim satisfaction with the police, and victim perceptions of safety
following legal intervention. Race and two victim resource measures (i.e.,
employment status and income advantage) explained variance in perceptions of
independence. A police empowerment scale was used to measure legal power. It was
found that arrest affected the probability of re-occurring domestic violence.
Suspect arrest and the victim's perceptions of legal power were related to
perceptions of safety following police intervention. The study concludes with
some implications for domestic violence research, programs, and
perspectives. |