Shadows of silence: investigating police responses to intimate and gender-based violence

The Istanbul Convention stands out as a crucial and pioneering tool in addressing gender-based violence (GBV) and violence against women (VAW) within the European context. Recognizing the significance of police responses to such violence, this qualitative study aims to analyze and comprehend the implementation of police officers’ responses to intimate partner violence in Portugal, while considering the principles outlined in the Istanbul Convention. Thirteen interviews (M = 46; S.D. = 13.3) were conducted with professionals involved in police response, evenly distributed across Portugal. The objective was to explore their experiences in providing responses to intimate and GBV, which were then scrutinized against the recommendations outlined in the Group of Experts’ Report to Combat Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence. The findings revealed a significant gap in knowledge among first-line response personnel regarding the phenomenon. While the establishment of specialized groups within the police force, such as the Investigation and Support Centers for Specific Victims (NIAVE), was viewed as an important and positive resource, it was deemed insufficient due to heavy workloads, resulting in the prioritization of higher-risk cases. Despite the implementation of a risk assessment instrument, there was a notable lack of understanding among professionals regarding its application. The investigation yielded several recommendations for enhancing these responses, including a substantial investment in training for police responses to GBV and bolstering the capacity of NIAVE to ensure effective management of all domestic violence (DV) cases.