Domestic Violence Reduction Unit (DVRU)
Problems addressed
Violence against women
Effectiveness

Effective

.

.

.

.

.

Effective

Want to know more about this classification? Check out our methodological manual.

Life periods served
Adults (18 to 59 years)
Where the program was applied
Outpatient - Justice and Sentence Enforcement Services
Police station or police department
Country of application
United States
Description

This is a police unit specialized in domestic violence crimes. Its aim is to increase the conviction of aggressors through thorough investigations into cases of domestic violence, and to empower victims by applying techniques to validate their experiences and by offering information and access to community services and the justice system.

Impact evaluations

An impact evaluation showed a significant reduction in violence (including verbal violence) and an increase in police calls to report other episodes of domestic violence [1].

Bibliographic reference

[1] Jolin, A., Feyerherm, W., Fountain, R. & Friedman, S. (1998). Beyond Arrest: The Portland, Oregon Domestic Violence Experiment. Final Report. https://www.ojp.gov/sites/g/files/xyckuh241/files/media/document/179968…

Information source