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Children’s Direct Exposure to Types of Domestic Violence Crime: A Population-based Investigation

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Abstract

Police officers served as public health sentinels to collect data on children exposed to domestic violence across an entire municipality for 1 year. This study extended research by investigating a typology of domestic violence crimes and children’s direct sensory exposure to these types. Police officers used a standard, validated protocol to collect data on all substantiated domestic violence. Findings revealed that almost half of all events had children present, and 81% of these children were directly exposed to the violence. Children under the age of 6 years old were at greater risk of exposure. Identified domestic violence households with children were more likely to be low-income, non-White, and headed by a single female, compared to households at large. Cluster analysis revealed seven domestic violence event profiles. Typology showed that children were disproportionately exposed to the most unstable and dangerous profiles including weapon use, mutual assault, and substance abuse.

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Acknowledgements

This research project was supported by a grant from David and Lucile Packard Foundation. Special thanks go to our outstanding law enforcement collaborators: Captain Kathy Rhodes, Sgt. James Borum, Lieutenant Harold Allen, and Crime Analyst Mary Jude Young.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Graduate School of Education, University of Pennsylvania, 3700 Walnut St., Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA

    John W. Fantuzzo

  2. School of Social Work, University of Pittsburgh, Cathedral of Learning, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

    Rachel A. Fusco

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  1. John W. Fantuzzo
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  2. Rachel A. Fusco
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Correspondence to John W. Fantuzzo.

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Fantuzzo, J.W., Fusco, R.A. Children’s Direct Exposure to Types of Domestic Violence Crime: A Population-based Investigation. J Fam Viol 22, 543–552 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-007-9105-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-007-9105-z

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