Domestic Violence among Law Enforcement Officers

  Domestic Violence among Law Enforcement Officers Domestic violence, though preventable, is a widely prevalent social issue not only in the US but all over the world, and cutting across all socioeconomic classifications. The social issue is also categorized as a serious crime, pointing to the weight with which law enforcement agencies and social workers should approach it. Ironically, however, domestic violence appears to more prevalent among law enforcement officers as compared to any other professionals. Statistics reveal that police officers are more likely to engage in domestic violence 2-to-four times than the general population (The Advocates for Human Rights, 2009). The social vice, range from stalking to harassment, sexual assault to homicide among other issues(Gover, Pudrzynska, & Dodge, 2011). The topic of domestic violence among law enforcement officers is, nonetheless, controversial among researchers, the media, and professionals including social worker, probably indicating a dearth of research into the area. To fill in the research gap and owing to the adverse impact of the social issue, I chose to investigate the prevalence of domestic violence among law enforcement officers and the role social workers can play in reducing its magnitude. For an exhaustive insight into the problem, it will also be important to consider the factors that predisposes police officers to domestic violence. Among the research questions that will guide my study include:1. What characterizes domestic violence?2. Which factors causes domestic violence?3. How common is domestic violence among law enforcement officers as compared to other professionals?4. Why are law enforcement officers more likely to engage in domestic violence?5. Do law enforcement officers experience domestic violence as perpetrators only or are they also victims?6. Do both male and female law enforcement officers engage in domestic violence?7. What are the effects of domestic violence?8. What does the law say about domestic violence?9. What are the perceptions of law enforcement officers about domestic violence?10. What role can social workers play in addressing the problem of domestic violence among law enforcement officers? ReferencesThe Advocates for Human Rights (2009). Officer-involved domestic violence. Retrieved from http://www.stopvaw.org/officer-involved_domestic_violenceGover, A. R., Pudrzynska P. D., & Dodge, M. (2011). Law enforcement officers’ attitudes about domestic violence. Violence Against Women, 17(5), 619-636.