The Impact of Non-Mandatory Police Reporting on Domestic Violence
Over the last few years, many countries have adopted policies to reduce violence against women. Most enacted measures prioritize criminal justice and require an initial report of domestic abuse to the police. This study assesses how lowering barriers for women to access public services affect domestic violence. Exploiting the temporal and geographic variation in the enactment of non-mandatory police reporting policy, I find that this policy significantly reduced intimate partner homicides. I show that non-mandatory police report laws increased abusive relations' dissolution and reduced domestic violence in intact couples. These findings suggest that enabling victims to leave the abusive relationship without facing burdensome legal and administrative processes can impact domestic abuse before escalating to murder.
Working paper coming soon
Over the last few years, many countries have adopted policies to reduce violence against women. Most enacted measures prioritize criminal justice and require an initial report of domestic abuse to the police. This study assesses how lowering barriers for women to access public services affect domestic violence. Exploiting the temporal and geographic variation in the enactment of non-mandatory police reporting policy, I find that this policy significantly reduced intimate partner homicides. I show that non-mandatory police report laws increased abusive relations' dissolution and reduced domestic violence in intact couples. These findings suggest that enabling victims to leave the abusive relationship without facing burdensome legal and administrative processes can impact domestic abuse before escalating to murder.
Working paper coming soon