Predicting Police Endorsement of Myths Surrounding Intimate Partner Violence Survivors

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is an epidemic in the United States. Despite its pervasive nature, IPV is underreported and faces substantial case attrition. One of the contributing factors that may be involved in explaining this phenomenon is the way police respond to IPV and specifically, endorsement of IPV myths that stigmatize, invalidate, blame, and re-victimize survivors. The present study used a purposive sample of 523 self-report surveys administered to police officers commissioned at a metropolitan department located in one of the fifth largest and most diverse US cities. The objective of this study was twofold: 1) asses endorsement of IPV myths among participants, and 2) identify predictors of this endorsement. Findings revealed IPV myth endorsement fell below the midpoint. Additionally officer sex, increased trauma misperceptions, and decreased perceptions of preparedness in responding to IPV calls for service were correlated with increased IPV myth endorsement. Future research and policy implications are discussed.