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Can information save lives? Effect of a victim-focused police intervention on intimate partner homicides

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  • Koppa, Vijetha

Abstract

Funded by the Department of Justice, the Lethality Assessment Program (LAP) is a domestic violence protocol that has been implemented in over 600 police agencies across the US. Exploiting the variation in the timing of implementation across agencies in Maryland, I find that the LAP significantly reduced female homicide victimization by males. The effect is concentrated on the homicides of girlfriends. A back-of-the-envelope analysis suggests that homicides are prevented because the most at-risk victims are nudged to take protective actions by the information effect of risk awareness and safety planning that they receive during the LAP intervention.

Suggested Citation

  • Koppa, Vijetha, 2024. "Can information save lives? Effect of a victim-focused police intervention on intimate partner homicides," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 217(C), pages 756-782.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jeborg:v:217:y:2024:i:c:p:756-782
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jebo.2023.11.001
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Domestic violence; Intimate partner homicide; Lethality assessment; Victim screening; Safety Planning;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J12 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Marriage; Marital Dissolution; Family Structure
    • J18 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Public Policy
    • K42 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law

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