The range and response to domestic violence in Del Norte County, California

In 2005 California Attorney General Lockyear issued a report stating the response to domestic violence requires the close collaboration of multiple agencies in each local criminal justice system. Others have supported that finding. Additionally, the report suggested psychological functioning and treatment completion are important aspects of response. In response, this project investigated the scope of domestic violence, characteristics of batterers and victims, and systems response in Del Norte County, California. This project sought to identify traits of offenders prone to recidivism from non-completion of a batterer intervention program and what services victims receive from the collaborative action of responding agencies. This study used a mixed methods research strategy to obtain stronger and more in depth answers. This research found overrepresentation of Native Americans in batterer intervention programs, Child Welfare cases, and as victims of DV. Surveys of secondary data from the batterer program found mental health and substance abuse were problems for more than 40% of clients and over 55% had histories of alcohol abuse. Additionally, 45% of perpetrators had been past victims of domestic violence, and in over 55% of cases children were victimized by witnessing the violence or being physical assaulted. Furthermore, average income in client families was a meager $12, 627 a year suggesting poverty is a factor in domestic violence.