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Abstract: 

Many DV victims are asked, sometimes by well-meaning friends and families as well as by so-called “neutral” investigators and evaluators of DV incidents, the question, “Why didn’t you call the police?” This article, based on an online survey of over 900 advocates, service providers, and attorneys who serve sexual assault and domestic violence survivors, provides of succinct summary of those reasons, which include inaction, hostility, and bias against victims, among others. Based on these findings, the authors offer recommendations and remedies that, if adopted by law enforcement agencies, could go a long way toward improving the lives of survivors.

Keywords: Police Bias; Collateral Consequences; Improving Police Response

Affiliations:  1: ACLU Women’s Rights Project; 2: University of Miami School of Law; 3: City University of New York School of Law .