What Police Do? What Victims Need?: A qualitative analysis of the police response to domestic violence (in Essex)

The key purpose of the research was to review the policing of domestic violence in Essex to identify how police understandings of domestic violence impacts on their response to the problem and the levels of protection offered to victims. Through unique access to police files and police property it was possible to provides analyses of, observations of police practice; victim pathways; risk assessment/management processes; training initiatives. The qualitative research design focussed on highlighting the voice of the victim, adding to current efforts to improve police performance, and align more closely ‘what police do’ with ‘what victims need’ to provide a better service and prevent further harms.