Special Report

U.S. Department of Justice

Office of Justice Programs

Bureau of Justice Statistics

MAY 2017 NCJ 250231

HIGHLIGHTS

For nonfatal domestic violence victimizations occurring 

during the 10-year aggregate period from 2006-15—

 More than half (56%) of all victimizations were reported 

to police.

 Police responded to nearly two-thirds (64%) of reported 

victimizations in 10 minutes or less.

 Reasons victims did not report a victimization to police 

included personal privacy (32%), protecting the offender 

(21%), the crime was minor (20%), and fear of reprisal (19%).

 Female victimizations (24%) were four times as likely as 

male victimizations (6%) to go unreported due to fear 

of reprisal.

 Overall, the offender was arrested or charges were filed in 

39% of victimizations reported to police.

 In 23% of reported victimizations, police arrested an 

offender during their initial response.

 The victim or other household member signed a criminal 

complaint against the offender in about half (48%) of 

victimizations reported to police. 

 The offender was arrested or charges were filed in 89% of 

the victimizations reported to police where a victim was 

seriously injured and signed a criminal complaint.

 About 9 in 10 local police departments serving 250,000 or 

more residents operated a full-time domestic violence unit.

Police Response to Domestic 

Violence, 2006-2015

An average of 1.3 million nonfatal domestic violence 

victimizations occurred annually in the United 

States during the 10-year aggregate period from 

2006 to 2015. Police were notified of more than half (56%) 

of these victimizations (figure 1). When police responded 

to the scene, they took a report 78% of the time. The victim 

or other household member signed a criminal complaint 

against the offender in about half (48%) of victimizations 

reported to police. The offender was arrested or charges 

were filed in 39% of reported victimizations, either during 

the initial response or during the follow-up period.

This report primarily uses data from the National Crime 

Victimization Survey (NCVS) for the 10-year aggregate 

period 2006-15 to examine the reporting of nonfatal 

domestic violence victimizations to police and police 

response to these victimizations. Nonfatal domestic violence 

includes serious violence (rape or sexual assault, robbery, 

and aggravated assault) and simple assaults committed by 

intimate partners, immediate family members, or other 

relatives.1 Data are based on victims’ descriptions of police 

actions during their initial response and any follow-up 

actions. This report also includes data on the prevalence of 

Figure 1

Nonfatal domestic violence victimizations reported to 

police, 2006–2015

Percent

0

20

40

60

80

100

Oender 

arrested or 

charges led

Victim 

signed

complaint

Police took 

report at 

scene

Among all 

victimizations,

percent reported 

to police Of victimizations reported to police

Note: See appendix table 9 for estimates and standard errors.

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 

2006–2015.

Brian A. Reaves, Ph.D., BJS Statistician

1For offense definitions, see Criminal Victimization, 2015 (NCJ 250180, 

BJS web, October 2016, p. 15) and Terms and Definitions: Victims on the 

BJS website.
POLICE RESPONSE TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, 2006-2015 | MAY 2017 2

arrests or charges filed related to these domestic violence 

victimizations and on the role of signed criminal complaints. 

Unless otherwise noted, the comparisons in this report are 

significant at the 95% confidence level.

More than half of nonfatal domestic violence 

victimizations were known to police

During 2006-15, an estimated 56% of nonfatal domestic 

violence victimizations were reported or otherwise known 

to police (table 1).

2,3 Reporting rates were the same for 

victimizations involving an intimate partner (spouse, 

former spouse, boyfriend, or girlfriend) as for other 

victim-offender relationships (parent, child, sibling, or any 

other relative except spouses). Reporting rates were also 

the same for victimizations involving serious violence as 

for those involving simple assault. (See appendix table 3 for 

more information on reporting rates.)

Female victimizations involving a serious injury (54%) were 

reported to police at about the same rate as victimizations 

with no injury (55%) (figure 2). A greater percentage of 

male victimizations were reported to police when a serious 

injury was involved (77%), compared to when there was a 

minor injury (57%) or no injury (49%).

Table 1

Average annual number of nonfatal domestic violence 

victimizations reported to police, 2006–2015

Average annual 

number of 

victimizations

Victimizations 

reported to police

Type of domestic

violence victimization

Average annual 

number

Percent of all 

victimizations

All victimizations 1,314,593 732,839 56%

Intimate partner 889,012 494,434 56

Other relation 425,580 238,405 56

Serious violence* 476,432 267,344 56%

Intimate partner 323,388 177,270 55

Other relation 153,044 90,074 59

Simple assault 838,161 465,495 56%

Intimate partner 565,625 317,164 56

Other relation 272,536 148,331 54

Note: Detail may not sum to total due to rounding. Data on whether police were 

informed were available for 99% of victimizations. Includes victimizations that 

police became aware of through other means and when police were already at 

the scene. Intimate partner includes current or former spouses, boyfriends, and 

girlfriends. Other relation includes immediate family (except spouses) and other 

relatives. See appendix table 10 for standard errors.

*Includes rape or sexual assault, robbery, and aggravated assault.

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 

2006–2015.

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

Male

No injury‡

Minor injury

Serious injury†

All victimizations

Percent 

Female*

Figure 2

Nonfatal domestic violence victimizations reported to 

police, by severity of injury and sex of victim, 2006–2015

Note: See appendix table 11 for estimates and standard errors.

*Comparison group. 

†Male victimizations are significantly different from the female comparison 

group at 95% confidence level. 

‡Male victimizations are significantly different from the female comparison 

group at 90% confidence level.

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 

2006–2015.

2Police became aware of about 2% of victimizations through means 

other than someone reporting it to them. These are included as reported 

victimizations.

3In this report, police refers to any law enforcement agency responding 

to a domestic violence victimization. The agency or agencies responding 

to a victimization may have included a state police agency, local police 

department, sheriffs’ office, special jurisdiction agency (such as campus 

police), or another type of law enforcement agency.
POLICE RESPONSE TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, 2006-2015 | MAY 2017 3

The victim reported the incident to police in about 

three-quarters (76%) of reported victimizations (table 2). 

This was more often the case when the victimization 

involved intimate partners (80%) than other victim-offender 

relationships (68%). An additional 10% of victimizations 

reported to police came from a household member other 

than the victim. An estimated 15% of reports originated 

outside the household, including 4% from an official such as 

a security guard or a school administrator.

An annual average of about 582,000 domestic violence 

victimizations went unreported during 2006-15

During 2006-15, an annual average of about 716,000 

nonfatal domestic violence victimizations were reported 

or otherwise known to police, compared to about 582,000 

victimizations that went unreported. In about a third (32%) 

of the victimizations not reported to police, victims cited the 

personal nature of the incident as a reason for not doing so 

(table 3). About a fifth of victimizations were not reported 

because the victim wanted to protect the offender (21%), 

felt the crime was minor or unimportant (20%), or feared 

reprisal from the offender or others (19%).

Table 2

Person reporting nonfatal domestic violence victimizations to police, 2006–2015

Type of domestic 

violence victimization

Average annual number 

of reported victimizations Total

Member of household Not a member of household

Victim Other Officiala Other

All victimizations 716,429 100% 76% 10% 4% 11%

Intimate partner* 483,469 100% 80 5 4 11

Other relation 232,961 100% 68 † 19 † 2 † 11

Serious violenceb 264,388 100% 75% 10% 4% 11%

Intimate partner* 175,356 100% 78 6 5 10

Other relation 89,032 100% 67 † 18 † 1 !† 14

Simple assault 452,041 100% 77% 10% 3% 11%

Intimate partner* 308,113 100% 80 5 4 11

Other relation 143,928 100% 69 † 20 † 2 !‡ 9

Note: Detail may not sum to total due to rounding. Table excludes victimizations that police became aware of through other means and when police were already at 

the scene. Data on persons reporting incident to police were available for 98% of victimizations. Intimate partner includes current or former spouses, boyfriends, and 

girlfriends. Other relation includes immediate family (except spouses) and other relatives. See appendix table 12 for standard errors. 

*Comparison group.

†Significant difference from comparison group at 95% confidence level. 

‡Significant difference from comparison group at 90% confidence level.

! Interpret with caution. Estimate is based on 10 or fewer sample cases, or the coefficient of variation is greater than 50%.

aExcludes police.

bIncludes rape or sexual assault, robbery, and aggravated assault.

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 2006–2015.

Table 3

Reasons cited by victims for not reporting nonfatal domestic violence victimizations to police, 2006–2015

Type of domestic 

violence victimization

Average annual number of 

unreported victimizations Personal matter Protect offender

Crime was minor 

or unimportant Fear of reprisal

Inefficient or 

biased police

All victimizations 581,754 32% 21% 20% 19% 8%

Intimate partner* 394,578 29 19 22 22 9

Other relation 187,176 40 † 25 ‡ 16 † 13 † 5 †

Serious violencea 209,088 32% 22% 17% 31% 11%

Intimate partner* 146,117 32 17 20 33 13

Other relation 62,970 34 31 † 12 † 25 † 7 !†

Simple assault 372,666 32% 21% 22% 13% 5%

Intimate partner* 248,461 27 20 24 16 7

Other relation 124,206 43 † 22 18 ‡ 6 † 3 †

Note: Detail may not sum to total due to rounding. At least one reason was provided for 98% of victimizations not reported to police. Victims may have cited more 

than one reason. List of reasons included is not exhaustive. Intimate partner includes current or former spouses, boyfriends, and girlfriends. Other relation includes 

immediate family (except spouses) and other relatives. See appendix table 13 for standard errors. 

*Comparison group.

†Significant difference from comparison group at 95% confidence level.

‡Significant difference from comparison group at 90% confidence level.

! Interpret with caution. Estimate is based on 10 or fewer sample cases, or the coefficient of variation is greater than 50%.

aIncludes rape or sexual assault, robbery, and aggravated assault.

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 2006–2015.
POLICE RESPONSE TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, 2006-2015 | MAY 2017 4

Measuring domestic violence with the National Crime Victimization Survey

The National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) collects 

information on nonfatal crimes, both reported and not 

reported to police, against persons age 12 or older from a 

nationally representative sample of U.S. households. The 

survey collects information on personal crimes (rape or sexual 

assault, robbery, aggravated and simple assault, and personal 

larceny) and household property crimes (burglary, motor 

vehicle theft, and other theft).

The domestic violence victimizations analyzed in this report 

were categorized as either serious violence (rape or sexual 

assault, robbery, aggravated assault) or simple assault. The 

victimizations were also grouped into two categories of 

victim-offender relationships: those involving an intimate 

partner (current or former spouse, boyfriend, or girlfriend) and 

those involving other domestic victim-offender relationships 

(parent, child, sibling, or any other relative except spouses). 

Additional violent victimizations captured by the NCVS 

involving acquaintances or strangers did not fall under the 

definition of domestic violence and were excluded.

According to the NCVS, an annual average of 2.1 million 

victimizations involving serious violence and 4.1 million 

victimizations involving simple assault occurred during the 

10-year aggregate period from 2006-15. When the 

victim-offender relationship was known (91%), about a 

quarter of violent victimizations were classified as domestic 

violence regardless of whether they involved serious violence 

(25%) or simple assault (23%) (table 4). Victimizations 

involving serious violence were more likely to be domestic 

violence when the victim was female (38%) than when the 

victim was male (12%). Female victims (27%) of serious 

violence were about four times as likely as male victims 

(7%) to have been victimized by an intimate partner. Similar 

patterns were observed for simple assault victimizations.4

4For more information on the characteristics of domestic violence, 

see appendix table 1 and Nonfatal Domestic Violence, 2003-2012 (NCJ 

244697, BJS web, April 2014) or the NCVS Victimization Analysis Tool 

on the BJS website.

Table 4

Violent crime victimizations, by level of violence and sex of victim, 2006–2015

Average annual number of 

violent crime victimizations 

with known victim-offender 

relationshipsa Type of violent crime victimization

Domestic violence

Total Intimate partner Not domestic violence b Other relationc

Serious violenced 1,900,249 25% 17% 8% 75%

Female victim* 971,635 38 27 11 62

Male victim 928,614 12 † 7 † 5 † 88 †

Simple assault 3,692,725 23% 16% 7% 77%

Female victim* 1,836,824 35 26 9 65

Male victim 1,855,901 11 † 5 † 6 † 89 †

Note: See appendix table 14 for standard errors. 

*Comparison group.

†Significant difference from comparison group at 95% confidence level.

aIn 9% of the violent crime victimizations occurring annually, the victim-offender relationship was unknown, and it could not be determined 

if domestic violence was involved.

bIncludes current or former spouses, boyfriends, and girlfriends.

cIncludes immediate family (except spouses) and other relatives.

dIncludes rape or sexual assault, robbery, and aggravated assault.

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 2006–2015.
POLICE RESPONSE TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, 2006-2015 | MAY 2017 5

About a quarter (24%) of female victims who did not 

report an incident cited fear of reprisal as a reason

Overall, domestic violence victimizations involving serious 

violence (31%) were more likely than victimizations 

involving simple assault (13%) to go unreported due to 

fear of reprisal. Regardless of the severity of the incident, 

female victimizations (24%) were four times as likely as male 

victimizations (6%) to go unreported to police due to fear 

of reprisal (figure 3). Male victimizations (28%) were more 

likely than female victimizations (17%) to go unreported 

to police because the victim felt the crime was minor 

or unimportant.

Police responded to most reported nonfatal domestic 

violence victimizations within 10 minutes of notification

In about 7% of reported domestic violence victimizations, the 

victim went to police rather than have police come to them. 

In another 7% of victimizations, the victim said police did 

not come when informed.5 For the remaining victimizations, 

police responded to the scene within 10 minutes of being 

notified nearly two-thirds (64%) of the time (table 5). The 

percentage of police responses that occurred within 

10 minutes was about the same for victimizations involving 

serious violence (65%) as those involving simple assault 

(64%). Victims reported that nearly all (94%) police 

responses occurred within an hour.

5Victimizations that police did not respond to, or that they responded to 

slowly, may not have required an immediate response because, in some 

instances, the victimization reported may have occurred days or weeks prior 

to police being notified. This cannot be determined from the NCVS.

Table 5

Police response times for nonfatal domestic violence victimizations reported to police, 2006–2015

Type of domestic

violence victimization

Average annual number 

of reported victimizations Total 10 minutes or less

More than 10 minutes

but within 1 hour More than 1 hour

All victimizations 572,660 100% 64% 30% 6%

Intimate partner* 371,309 100% 64 30 7

Other relation 201,351 100% 65 31 4

Serious violencea 214,628 100% 65% 30% 5%

Intimate partner* 135,290 100% 59 34 7

Other relation 79,338 100% 74 † 23 † 3 !‡

Simple assault 358,033 100% 64% 30% 6%

Intimate partner* 236,019 100% 67 27 7

Other relation 122,013 100% 59 ‡ 36 † 5

Note: Response time is measured as time elapsed from notification to response. Excludes 7% of victims who went to police to report victimization rather than have 

police come to them, and 7% of victims who said police did not come when informed of the victimization. Data on response time were available for 99% of all other 

victimizations. Intimate partner includes current or former spouses, boyfriends, and girlfriends. Other relation includes immediate family (except spouses) and other 

relatives. See appendix table 16 for standard errors.

*Comparison group.

†Significant difference from comparison group at 95% confidence level.

‡Significant difference from comparison group at 90% confidence level.

! Interpret with caution. Estimate is based on 10 or fewer sample cases, or the coefficient of variation is greater than 50%.

aIncludes rape or sexual assault, robbery, and aggravated assault.

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 2006–2015.

Figure 3

Reasons for not reporting a nonfatal domestic violence 

victimization to police, by sex of victim, 2006–2015

Note: Victims may have given more than one reason for not reporting a 

victimization. See appendix table 15 for estimates and standard errors.

*Comparison group.

†Male victimizations are significantly different from the female comparison 

group at 95% confidence level.

‡Male victimizations are significantly different from the female comparison 

group at 90% confidence level.

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 

2006–2015.

0 10 20 30 40 50

Crime was minor 

or unimportant†

Personal 

matter

Inecient or 

biased police‡

Protect oender

Fear of reprisal†

Percent 

Male

Female*
POLICE RESPONSE TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, 2006-2015 | MAY 2017 6

According to victims, the most common police action 

during their initial response was to take a report (78%) 

(table 6). Police questioned persons during 36% of their 

initial responses. Less frequently, they conducted a search 

(14%) or collected evidence (11%).

Police arrested the offender in 23% of initial responses 

to nonfatal domestic violence victimizations

Police arrested the offender during about a quarter (23%) 

of their initial responses to nonfatal domestic violence 

victimizations (table 7).

6 In some cases, police may not have 

been able to make an arrest during an initial response, 

whether mandatory or discretionary, because the offender 

was not present at the scene. Initial arrest rates were about 

the same whether the victimization involved serious 

violence (24%) or simple assault (23%). The offender was 

arrested slightly more often for victimizations involving 

intimate partners (25%) than for other victim-offender 

relationships (20%) (90% confidence interval).

6 Some states and localities have mandatory or pro-arrest policies related to 

domestic violence. These policies may include special conditions for when 

an incident involves intimate partner violence, commission of a felony, or a 

protection order violation.

Table 7

Arrests made during initial police response to nonfatal 

domestic violence victimizations reported to police, 

2006–2015

Type of domestic 

violence victimization

Average annual number

of victimizations reported 

to police

Percent of initial 

responses that 

included arrest

All victimizations 656,758 23%

Intimate partner* 437,036 25

Other relation 219,721 20 ‡

Serious violencea 242,812 24%

Intimate partner* 156,517 26

Other relation 86,295 19 †

Simple assault 413,945 23%

Intimate partner* 280,519 24

Other relation 133,426 20

Note: Data on whether police made an arrest during initial response were 

available for 99% of victimizations. Intimate partner includes current or former 

spouses, boyfriends, and girlfriends. Other relation includes immediate family 

(except spouses) and other relatives. See appendix table 18 for standard errors.

*Comparison group.

†Significant difference from comparison group at 95% confidence level.

‡Significant difference from comparison group at 90% confidence level.

aIncludes rape or sexual assault, robbery, and aggravated assault.

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 

2006–2015.

Table 6

Police actions during initial response to nonfatal domestic violence victimizations reported to police, 2006–2015

Type of domestic 

violence victimization

Average annual number

of victimizations reported 

to police Took report Questioned persons Conducted search Collected evidence

All victimizations 656,758 78% 36% 14% 11%

Intimate partner* 437,036 79 32 17 12

Other relation 219,721 75 43 † 8 † 7 †

Serious violencea 242,812 82% 33% 20% 13%

Intimate partner* 156,517 83 32 25 16

Other relation 86,295 79 35 11 † 6 †

Simple assault 413,945 76% 37% 11% 9%

Intimate partner* 280,519 77 32 13 10

Other relation 133,426 73 48 † 6 † 8

Note: Data on police action taken during initial response were available for 99% of victimizations. List of actions taken is not exhaustive. Intimate partner includes 

current or former spouses, boyfriends, and girlfriends. Other relation includes immediate family (except spouses) and other relatives. See appendix table 17 for 

standard errors.

*Comparison group.

†Significant difference from comparison group at 95% confidence level.

aIncludes rape or sexual assault, robbery, and aggravated assault.

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 2006–2015.
POLICE RESPONSE TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, 2006-2015 | MAY 2017 7

When domestic violence victimization involved a female 

victim, the offender was arrested during the initial police 

response 32% of the time when the victim was seriously 

injured, compared to 16% of the time when the victim was 

uninjured (figure 4). When the victimization involved a 

male victim, the offender was arrested during the initial 

police response 44% of the time when the victim was 

seriously injured, compared to 16% of the time when the 

victim was uninjured.

About half of reported nonfatal domestic violence 

victimizations resulted in a signed criminal complaint 

During 2006-15, the victim or other household member 

signed a criminal complaint against the offender in about 

half (48%) of nonfatal domestic violence victimizations 

reported to police (table 8). A criminal complaint was 

usually filed by the prosecutor in cooperation with police, 

and in some cases the victim, to begin court proceedings. 

Signed complaints were obtained more often when the 

victimization involved intimate partners (52%) than when 

it involved other victim-offender relationships (40%). 

Complaints were also more likely when the victimization 

involved serious violence (56%) than when it involved 

simple assault (44%). (See appendix table 5 for more 

information on signed criminal complaints.)

0 10 20 30 40 50

No injury

Minor injury

Serious injury

All victimizations

Percent

Male

Female*

Figure 4

Offender arrested during initial police response to nonfatal 

domestic violence victimizations reported to police, by 

severity of injury and sex of victim, 2006–2015

Note: See appendix table 19 for estimates and standard errors. There were no 

statistically significant differences detected between males and females across 

any of the injury categories.

*Comparison group.

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 

2006–2015.

Table 8

Signed criminal complaints obtained in nonfatal domestic 

violence victimizations reported to police, 2006–2015

Type of domestic 

violence victimization

Average annual 

number of victimizations 

reported to police

Percent resulting in 

signed complaint

All victimizations 728,255 48%

Intimate partner* 492,186 52

Other relation 236,069 40 †

Serious violencea 266,267 56%

Intimate partner* 176,193 60

Other relation 90,074 47 †

Simple assault 461,988 44%

Intimate partner* 315,993 48

Other relation 145,995 36 †

Note: Detail may not sum to total due to rounding. Data on whether a signed 

complaint was obtained were available for 99% of victimizations known to 

police. Intimate partner includes current or former spouses, boyfriends, and 

girlfriends. Other relation includes immediate family (except spouses) and other 

relatives. See appendix table 20 for standard errors.

*Comparison group.

†Significant difference from comparison group at 95% confidence level.

aIncludes rape or sexual assault, robbery, and aggravated assault.

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 

2006–2015.
POLICE RESPONSE TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, 2006-2015 | MAY 2017 8

Signed criminal complaints were obtained in 51% of female 

victimizations, compared to 38% of male victimizations 

(figure 5). About three-fifths of female victims signed a 

complaint when they received a serious or minor injury, 

compared to fewer than half of those who were uninjured. 

When a serious injury was involved, female victims (58%) 

were nearly twice as likely as male victims (32%) to sign a 

criminal complaint.

Police took follow-up action in a third of nonfatal 

domestic violence victimizations

In addition to contact with police during their initial 

response to the victimization, an estimated 40% of 

victims had contact with police at a later date about the 

same victimization (table 9). In about a third (34%) of 

victimizations, police took specific follow-up actions 

during this later contact, such as taking a report, 

questioning persons, conducting a search, collecting 

evidence, or making an arrest. Police follow-up was 

more common with victimizations involving intimate 

partners (36%) than with other victim-offender 

relationships (30%) (90% confidence interval).

Police arrested the offender as part of their follow-up 

response in about 10% of victimizations. Police arrested the 

offender when following up with 12% of the victimizations 

involving intimate partners, compared to 6% of the 

victimizations involving other victim-offender relationships.

Table 9

Police follow-up response to nonfatal domestic violence victimizations reported to police, 2006–2015

Type of domestic

violence victimization

Average annual number

of victimizations reported 

to police Had later contact with victim Took follow-up actions Made arrest during follow-up

All victimizations 721,409 40% 34% 10%

Intimate partner* 489,837 43 36 12

Other relation 231,572 34 † 30 ‡ 6 †

Serious violencea 261,891 44% 36% 10%

Intimate partner* 174,906 48 37 12

Other relation 86,985 37 † 34 6 †

Simple assault 459,518 38% 33% 10%

Intimate partner* 314,931 40 35 12

Other relation 144,587 32 † 28 † 7 †

Note: Data on later police contact with victim was available for 98% of victimizations reported to police. Police follow-up response may have included one or more of 

the following actions: taking a report, questioning persons, conducting surveillance, recovering property, making an arrest, or other unspecified action. Intimate partner 

includes current or former spouses, boyfriends, and girlfriends. Other relation includes immediate family (except spouses) and other relatives. See appendix table 22 for 

standard errors.

*Comparison group.

†Significant difference from comparison group at 95% confidence level.

‡Significant difference from comparison group at 90% confidence level.

aIncludes rape or sexual assault, robbery, and aggravated assault.

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 2006–2015.

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70

No injury‡

Minor injury†

Serious injury†

All victimizations†

Percent

Male

Female*

Figure 5

Complaint signed by victim or other household member 

in nonfatal domestic violence victimizations reported to 

police, by severity of injury and sex of victim, 2006–2015

Note: See appendix table 21 for estimates and standard errors.

*Comparison group.

†Male victimizations are significantly different from the female comparison 

group at 95% confidence level.

‡Male victimizations are significantly different from the female comparison 

group at 90% confidence level.

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 

2006–2015.
POLICE RESPONSE TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, 2006-2015 | MAY 2017 9

Nearly all local police departments serving 250,000 or more residents operated a 

full-time specialized unit for domestic violence

In 2013, about 9 in 10 sheriffs’ offices (92%) and local police 

departments (89%) and 7 in 10 state law enforcement 

agencies (such as state police and highway patrol agencies) 

formally addressed domestic violence with a specialized unit, 

other dedicated personnel, policies, procedures, or training 

(table 10). Overall, about half (47%) of state and local law 

enforcement agencies employing 100 or more full-time sworn 

personnel operated a full-time domestic violence unit in 

2013, which was the same proportion as in 2003 (not shown). 

Specialized domestic violence units often consist of detectives 

and counselors or social workers and serve various roles, 

including—

 investigating serious domestic violence cases

 interacting with service and treatment agencies to prevent 

further violence

 assisting victims

 training officers, victims, and community members

 acting as a liaison for officers.

Larger agencies were the most likely to operate a specialized 

domestic violence unit. In 2013, 9 in 10 (90%) local police 

departments serving a population of 250,000 or more 

operated a domestic violence unit with personnel assigned 

full time. About 4 in 10 sheriffs’ offices serving 250,000 or 

more residents (40%) and local police departments serving 

50,000 to 249,999 residents (41%) had a full-time domestic 

violence unit. About 2 in 10 state law enforcement agencies 

had a domestic violence unit with personnel assigned full time 

(14%) or part time (5%). 

Table 10

State and local law enforcement agencies with a specialized domestic violence unit, 2013

Agency has specialized unit with—

Agency addresses but does 

not have specialized unit

Agency does not 

formally address

Type of law enforcement

agency and population served

Number of 

agencies Total

Full-time 

personnel

Part-time 

personnel

Dedicated 

personnel

Policies, procedures,

or training only

Local police departments 12,326 100% 11% 6% 14% 58% 11%

250,000 or more 104 100% 90 1 2 7 0

50,000–249,999 669 100% 41 9 26 22 2

10,000–49,999 2,858 100% 11 9 23 52 5

9,999 or fewer 8,695 100% 8 4 11 64 13

Sheriffs’ offices 3,012 100% 17% 5% 18% 52% 8%

250,000 or more 211 100% 40 9 24 22 4

50,000–249,999 702 100% 19 8 22 47 5

10,000–49,999 1,471 100% 15 4 17 55 9

9,999 or fewer 628 100% 11 1 16 62 11

Primary state agencies 50 100% 14% 5% 14% 39% 30%

Note: See appendix table 23 for standard errors.

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Law Enforcement Management and Administrative Statistics Survey, 2013.
POLICE RESPONSE TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, 2006-2015 | MAY 2017 10

Police were more likely to follow up on nonfatal 

domestic violence victimizations involving injuries

After the initial contact, police followed up with about 

4 in 10 reported nonfatal domestic violence victimizations 

involving a serious injury, regardless of whether the victim 

was female (42%) or male (43%) (figure 6). Police followup was more likely to occur with female victimizations 

than male victimizations when there was a minor injury 

(43% for female compared to 28% for male) or no injury 

(32% compared to 20%).

Police followed up with about half of nonfatal 

domestic violence victimizations that included a 

signed complaint

When a victim or other household member signed a 

criminal complaint against an offender, police followed up 

52% of the time (figure 7). In comparison, police followed 

up with 17% of victimizations without a signed complaint. 

Police were more likely to follow up with victimizations for 

which a signed complaint was obtained than those without 

a signed complaint, regardless of whether the victim was 

seriously injured (60% with a complaint compared to 22% 

without), received a minor injury (57% compared to 18%), 

or was not injured (46% compared to 17%).

0 10 20 30 40 50

No injury†

Minor injury†

Serious injury

All victimizations†

Percent

Male

Female*

Figure 6

Police follow-up with nonfatal domestic violence 

victimizations reported to police, by severity of injury and 

sex of victim, 2006–2015

Note: See appendix table 24 for estimates and standard errors. 

*Comparison group.

†Male victimizations are significantly different from the female comparison 

group at 95% confidence level.

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 

2006–2015.

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70

No injury†

Minor injury†

Serious injury†

All victimizations†

Percent

 No signed complaint

Signed complaint* 

Figure 7

Police follow-up with nonfatal domestic violence 

victimizations reported to police, by whether a signed 

complaint was obtained and severity of injury, 2006–2015

Note: See appendix table 25 for estimates and standard errors. 

*Comparison group.

†Victimizations with no signed complaint are significantly different from the 

signed complaint comparison group at 95% confidence level.

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 

2006–2015.
POLICE RESPONSE TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, 2006-2015 | MAY 2017 11

The offender was arrested or charges were filed in 

about 2 in 5 nonfatal domestic violence victimizations 

reported to police

In an estimated 39% of domestic violence victimizations 

reported to police, the offender had been arrested or 

charges were filed by the time of the NCVS interview 

(table 11).

7 Arrests or filed charges were more likely for 

victimizations involving intimate partners (42%) than 

other victim-offender relationships (33%). Arrests or filed 

charges occurred in about two-fifths of victimizations 

whether they involved serious violence (42%) or simple 

assault (38%). (See appendix table 7 for more information 

on offenders arrested or charges were filed.)

Offenders who seriously injured the victim were more 

likely than other offenders to be arrested or charged

In a majority of nonfatal domestic violence victimizations 

that involved serious victim injury, the offender was arrested 

or charges were filed whether the victim was female (62%) 

or male (63%) (figure 8). The offender was arrested or 

charges were filed when the victim was female in more than 

half (56%) of the victimizations that involved a minor injury, 

compared to 38% of the victimizations when the victim was 

male. When there was no victim injury, the offender was 

arrested or charges were filed in 29% of the victimizations 

involving a female victim, compared to 22% of those 

involving a male victim.

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70

No injury†

Minor injury†

Serious injury

All victimizations†

Percent

Female*

Male

Figure 8

Arrest or charges filed related to nonfatal domestic violence 

victimizations reported to police, by severity of injury and 

sex of victim, 2006–2015

Note: See appendix table 27 for estimates and standard errors. 

*Comparison group.

†Victimizations with no signed complaint are significantly different from the 

signed complaint comparison group at 95% confidence level.

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 

2006–2015.

7For all victimizations included in the analysis, the median time from 

incident to interview was about 4 months. See Methodology.

Table 11

Arrest or charges filed in nonfatal domestic violence 

victimizations reported to police, 2006–2015

Type of domestic 

violence victimization

Average annual number 

of victimizations 

reported to police

Percent resulting in 

arrest or charges filed

All victimizations 704,493 39%

Intimate partner* 472,409 42

Other relation 232,084 33 †

Serious violencea 261,841 42%

Intimate partner* 173,961 43

Other relation 87,880 40

Simple assault 442,652 38%

Intimate partner* 298,448 42

Other relation 144,203 29 †

Note: Detail may not sum to total due to rounding. Data on whether there was 

an arrest or charges filed were available for 96% of victimizations. Intimate 

partner includes current or former spouses, boyfriends, and girlfriends. Other 

relation includes immediate family (except spouses) and other relatives. See 

appendix table 26 for standard errors.

*Comparison group.

†Significant difference from comparison group at 95% confidence level.

aIncludes rape or sexual assault, robbery, and aggravated assault.

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 

2006–2015.
POLICE RESPONSE TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, 2006-2015 | MAY 2017 12

About 9 in 10 offenders were arrested or charged 

when the victim was seriously injured and signed 

a complaint

Among nonfatal domestic violence victimizations, offenders 

were arrested or charges were filed 59% of the time when 

the victim or other household member signed a criminal 

complaint against the offender, compared to 21% of 

the time when they did not sign a complaint (figure 9). 

When the victim was seriously injured, the offender was 

arrested or charges were filed in 89% of the cases with a 

signed complaint, compared to 35% of the cases without 

a complaint. When the victim was uninjured, an arrest 

was made or a charge was filed in 47% of the cases with a 

complaint, compared to 14% of the cases without.

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

No injury†

Minor injury†

Serious injury†

All victimizations†

Percent

 No signed complaint

Signed complaint*

Figure 9

Arrest or charges filed related to nonfatal domestic violence 

victimizations reported to police, by severity of injury and 

whether a signed complaint was obtained, 2006–2015

Note: See appendix table 28 for estimates and standard errors. 

*Comparison group.

†Male victimizations are significantly different from the female comparison 

group at 95% confidence level.

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 

2006–2015.
POLICE RESPONSE TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, 2006-2015 | MAY 2017 13

About half of local police departments and a third of sheriffs’ offices serving 

250,000 or more residents operated a full-time victim assistance unit

Victim assistance is an important part of the response to 

domestic violence for many law enforcement agencies. Data 

from the Bureau of Justice Statistics’ (BJS) Law Enforcement 

Management and Administrative Statistics survey indicated 

that, in 2013, about 8 in 10 sheriffs’ offices (82%) and local 

police departments (79%) formally addressed victim 

assistance through a specialized unit, other dedicated 

personnel, policies, procedures, or training. About two-thirds 

(66%) of state law enforcement agencies did so (table 12).

As with domestic violence units, larger agencies were the 

most likely to operate a specialized victim assistance unit. In 

2013, about half (49%) of local police departments serving a 

population of 250,000 or more operated a victim assistance 

unit with personnel assigned full time. About a third of sheriffs’ 

offices serving 250,000 or more residents (32%) and local 

police departments serving 50,000 to 249,999 residents (29%) 

had a victim assistance unit with full-time personnel. A quarter 

(25%) of state law enforcement agencies operated such a 

unit. Overall, 36% of state and local law enforcement agencies 

employing 100 or more full-time sworn personnel operated 

a full-time victim assistance unit in 2013, compared to 33% in 

2003 (not shown). 

Table 12

State and local law enforcement agencies with a specialized unit for victim assistance, 2013

Type of law enforcement 

agency and population 

served

Agency has specialized unit with—

Agency addresses but does 

not have specialized unit

Agency does not 

formally address

Number of 

agencies Total

Full-time

personnel

Part-time

personnel

Dedicated

personnel

Policies, procedures, 

or training only

Local police departments 12,326 100% 8% 4% 10% 56% 21%

250,000 or more 104 100% 49 3 16 27 6

50,000–249,999 669 100% 29 10 16 30 15

10,000–49,999 2,858 100% 8 6 18 53 15

9,999 or fewer 8,695 100% 6 3 8 60 23

Sheriffs’ offices 3,012 100% 14% 4% 16% 47% 18%

250,000 or more 211 100% 32 6 16 27 18

50,000–249,999 702 100% 20 6 16 42 17

10,000–49,999 1,471 100% 12 3 15 50 20

9,999 or fewer 628 100% 8 3 19 55 15

Primary state agencies 50 100% 25% 0% 5% 36% 34%

Note: See appendix table 29 for standard errors.

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Law Enforcement Management and Administrative Statistics Survey, 2013.

Continued on next page
POLICE RESPONSE TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, 2006-2015 | MAY 2017 14

Domestic violence victimizations that were reported to 

police were about twice as likely to result in assistance 

from victim service agency

Victim service agencies in the community provide assistance 

to domestic violence victims, often in addition to that 

provided by law enforcement. In some areas, these agencies 

may be the only source of such assistance. Like specialized 

units operated by law enforcement, victim service agencies 

provide victims with support and services to aid their physical 

and emotional recovery, offer protection from future 

victimizations, guide them through the criminal justice 

process, and assist them in obtaining restitution.8

During the 10-year aggregate period from 2006-15, an 

estimated 21% of domestic violence victimizations, or about 

280,000 per year, resulted in a victim receiving assistance from 

a victim service agency (table 13). Those who reported their 

victimization to police were about twice as likely to receive 

assistance (28%) from a victim service agency as those who 

did not report (13%). Domestic violence victims received 

assistance more often when an incident involved an intimate 

partner (24%) than when it involved other victim-offender 

relationships (16%).

8For more information on victim service agencies, see Use of Victim 

Service Agencies by Victims of Serious Violent Crime, 1993-2009

(NCJ 234212, BJS web, August 2011).

About half of local police departments and a third of sheriffs’ offices serving 

250,000 or more residents operated a full-time victim assistance unit (continued)

Table 13

Domestic violence victimizations in which assistance from a victim service agency was received, by type of crime, 

2006–2015

Total Reported to police Not reported to police

Type of domestic violence 

victimization

Average

annual

numbera

Percent

receiving 

assistance

Average

annual

number

Percent

receiving 

assistance

Average

annual

number

Percent

receiving

assistance

All victimizations 1,311,634 21% 726,371 28% 577,437 13%

Intimate partner* 890,789 24 490,605 30 394,262 15

Other relation 420,845 16 † 235,766 24 † 183,176 8 †

Serious violenceb 472,317 24% 265,790 27% 205,610 19%

Intimate partner* 323,425 26 176,390 30 146,117 23

Other relation 148,892 18 † 89,400 23 ‡ 59,492 9 †

Simple assault 839,317 20% 460,581 29% 371,828 10%

Intimate partner* 567,364 22 314,215 31 248,144 11

Other relation 271,953 16 † 146,366 24 † 123,684 7 †

Note: Detail may not sum to total due to rounding. Data on whether victim used a victim service agency were available for 99% of victimizations. Intimate 

partner includes current or former spouses, boyfriends, and girlfriends. Other relation includes immediate family (except spouses) and other relatives. See 

appendix table 30 for standard errors.

*Comparison group.

†Significant difference from comparison group at 95% confidence level.

‡Significant difference from comparison group at 90% confidence level.

a

Total includes victimizations for which it was unknown if they were reported to police. 

bIncludes rape or sexual assault, robbery, and aggravated assault.

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 2006–2015.
POLICE RESPONSE TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, 2006-2015 | MAY 2017 15

Methodology

Survey coverage

The National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) is 

an annual data collection conducted by the U.S. Census 

Bureau for the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS). The 

NCVS is a self-report survey in which persons are asked 

about the number and characteristics of victimizations 

they experienced in the preceding 6 months. The NCVS 

collects information on nonfatal personal crimes (rape or 

sexual assault, robbery, aggravated and simple assault, and 

personal larceny) and household property crimes (burglary, 

motor vehicle theft, and other theft) both reported and not 

reported to police. Because the NCVS is based on interviews 

with victims, it does not measure homicide.

The NCVS is administered to persons age 12 or older from 

a nationally representative sample of households in the 

United States. The NCVS defines a household as a group 

of members who all reside at a sampled address. Persons 

are considered household members when the sampled 

address is their usual place of residence at the time of the 

interview and when they have no usual place of residence 

elsewhere. It includes persons living in group quarters, 

such as dormitories, rooming houses, and religious group 

dwellings, but excludes persons living in military barracks 

and institutional settings, such as correctional or hospital 

facilities. It also excludes homeless persons.

Once selected, households remain in the sample for 3 years, 

and eligible persons in these households are interviewed 

every 6 months for a total of seven interviews. Generally, 

all first interviews are conducted in person with subsequent 

interviews conducted either in person or by phone. New 

households rotate into the sample on an ongoing basis to 

replace outgoing households that have been in the sample 

for the 3-year period.

Survey respondents provide information about themselves 

(age, sex, race, Hispanic origin, marital status, education 

level, and income) and whether they experienced a 

victimization. The NCVS also collects information from the 

victim’s perspective on each victimization incident about—

 the offender (age, race, Hispanic origin, sex, and victimoffender relationship)

 characteristics of the crime (including time and place 

of occurrence, use of weapons, nature of injury, and 

economic consequences)

 whether the crime was reported to police

 reasons the crime was or was not reported

 victim experiences with the criminal justice system.

All of this information is provided by the victim, and the 

victim’s account may differ from the information maintained 

in official records.

Victimization is the basic unit of analysis used in this 

report. A victimization is a crime that affects one person 

or household. For personal crimes, the number of 

victimizations is equal to the number of victims present 

during a criminal incident. The number of victimizations 

may be greater than the number of criminal incidents 

because more than one person may be victimized during 

an incident.

Because the information provided by victims for use in this 

report is limited to the NCVS interview reference period, it 

is limited to victimizations that occurred in the preceding 

6 months. The median time elapsed from incident to 

interview for the domestic violence victimizations analyzed 

for this report was about 4 months. For an estimated 18% 

of victimizations, the domestic violence incident being 

referenced occurred less than 1 month before the interview. 

For these victimizations, some related events, especially 

those involving police follow-up activities, may not have 

occurred yet.

By the time of the interview, the offender was arrested 

or charges were filed in a smaller percentage of 

victimizations with a short-term reference period (30%) 

than victimizations with a longer reference period (41%). 

Because these short-term cases accounted for nearly a fifth 

of domestic violence victimizations analyzed for this report, 

the estimates related to police follow-up activities, including 

arrests or charges filed that occurred after the initial 

response, may be slightly underestimated.

Nonresponse and weighting adjustments

In 2015, there were 95,760 households and 163,880 persons 

age 12 or older interviewed for the NCVS. Each household 

was interviewed twice during the year. The response rate 

was 82% for households and 86% for eligible persons. 

Victimizations that occurred outside of the United States 

were excluded from this report. In 2015, fewer than 

1% of the unweighted victimizations occurred outside of the 

United States.

Estimates in this report use 10-year aggregate data from the 

2006 to 2015 NCVS data files, weighted to produce annual 

estimates of victimization for persons age 12 or older living 

in U.S. households. Because the NCVS relies on a sample 

rather than a census of the entire U.S. population, weights 

are designed to inflate sample point estimates to known 

population totals and to compensate for survey nonresponse 

and other aspects of the sample design.
POLICE RESPONSE TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, 2006-2015 | MAY 2017 16

The NCVS data files include both person and household 

weights. Person weights provide an estimate of the population 

represented by each person in the sample. Household 

weights provide an estimate of the U.S. household 

population represented by each household in the sample. 

After proper adjustment, both household and person 

weights are also typically used to form the denominator in 

calculations of crime rates.

Victimization weights used in this analysis account 

for the number of persons present during an incident 

and for high-frequency repeat victimizations (or series 

victimizations). Series victimizations are similar in type but 

occur with such frequency that a victim is unable to recall 

each individual event or describe each event in detail. Survey 

procedures allow NCVS interviewers to identify and classify 

these similar victimizations as series victimizations and to 

collect detailed information on only the most recent incident 

in the series.

The weight counts series incidents as the actual number 

of incidents reported by the victim, up to a maximum of 

10 incidents. Including series victimizations in national 

rates results in increases in the level of violent victimization. 

However, trends in violent crime are generally similar 

regardless of whether series victimizations are included.

In 2015, series incidents accounted for about 1% of 

all victimizations and 4% of all violent victimizations. 

Weighting series incidents as the number of incidents 

up to a maximum of 10 incidents produces more reliable 

estimates of crime levels, and it minimizes the effect of 

extreme outliers on the rates. Additional information on 

counting series incidents is detailed in the report Methods 

for Counting High-Frequency Repeat Victimizations in the 

National Crime Victimization Survey (NCJ 237308, BJS web, 

April 2012).

Standard error computations

When national estimates are derived from a sample, as with 

the NCVS, use caution when comparing one estimate to 

another estimate or when comparing estimates over time. 

Although one estimate may be larger than another, estimates 

based on a sample have some degree of sampling error. The 

sampling error of an estimate depends on several factors, 

including the amount of variation in the responses and the 

size of the sample. When the sampling error around an 

estimate is accounted for, estimates that appear different may 

not be statistically different.

One measure of the sampling error associated with an 

estimate is the standard error. The standard error may vary 

from one estimate to the next. Generally, an estimate with a 

small standard error provides a more reliable approximation 

of the true value than an estimate with a large standard error. 

Estimates with relatively large standard errors are associated 

with less precision and reliability and should be interpreted 

with caution.

To generate standard errors around numbers and estimates 

from the NCVS, the U.S. Census Bureau produced 

generalized variance function (GVF) parameters for BJS. The 

GVF parameters account for aspects of the NCVS’s complex 

sample design and represent the curve fitted to a selection 

of individual standard errors using the Jackknife Repeated 

Replication technique. The GVF parameters were used to 

generate standard errors for each point estimate (such as 

counts, percentages, and rates) in this report.

BJS conducted tests to determine if differences in estimated 

numbers and percentages in this report were statistically 

significant when accounting for the sampling error. Using 

statistical programs developed specifically for the NCVS, 

BJS tested all comparisons in this report for significance. The 

Student’s t-statistic, which tests the difference between two 

sample estimates, was the primary test procedure.

Data users can use the estimates and the standard errors of 

the estimates provided in this report to generate a confidence 

interval around the estimate as a measure of the margin of 

error. The following example illustrates how standard errors 

can be used to generate confidence intervals:

According to the NCVS, during 2006-15, 55.7% of all 

nonfatal domestic violence victimizations were reported 

to police. Using the GVF parameters, it was determined 

that the estimated percentage had a standard error 

of 1.5 (see appendix table 10). A confidence interval 

around the estimate was generated by multiplying the 

standard error by ±1.96 (the t-score of a normal, twotailed distribution that excludes 2.5% at either end of the 

distribution). Therefore, the 95% confidence interval 

around the 55.7% estimate from 2015 is 55.7 ± (1.5 

1.96) or (52.8 to 58.6). In other words, if different samples 

using the same procedures were taken from the U.S. 

population for the years 2006 to 2015, 95% of the time 

the reporting rate for nonfatal domestic violence would 

be within the 52.8% to 58.6% range.

BJS also calculated a coefficient of variation (CV) for all 

estimates, which represents the ratio of the standard error 

to the estimate. CVs provide a measure of reliability and 

a means for comparing the precision of estimates across 

measures with differing levels or metrics (not presented 

in this report). When the CV was greater than 50%, or the 

unweighted sample had 10 or fewer cases, the estimate 

was noted with a “!” symbol. (Interpret data with caution. 

Estimate based on 10 or fewer sample cases, or the CV is 

greater than 50%.)
POLICE RESPONSE TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, 2006-2015 | MAY 2017 17

The LEMAS survey

This report uses data from the 2013 Law Enforcement 

Management and Administrative Statistics (LEMAS) survey. 

The LEMAS survey periodically collects data from more 

than 3,000 general purpose law enforcement agencies, 

including state police/highway patrol agencies, local police 

departments, and sheriffs’ offices. The survey includes all 

agencies that employ 100 or more sworn officers and a 

nationally representative sample of smaller agencies.

Previous LEMAS data collections occurred in 1987, 1990, 

1993, 1997, 1999 (limited scope), 2000, 2003, and 2007. 

LEMAS obtains data on— 

 functions performed 

 operating expenditures 

 job functions of sworn and nonsworn employees 

 officer salaries and special pay 

 demographic characteristics of officers 

 education and training requirements 

 types of weapons authorized 

 body armor policies 

 computers and information systems 

 types of vehicles operated 

 use of special units 

 task force participation 

 community policing activities.

For more methodological information on the LEMAS survey 

including sample design and selection, response rates, and 

imputation procedures, see Local Police Departments, 2013

(NCJ 248767, BJS web, July 2015).
POLICE RESPONSE TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, 2006-2015 | MAY 2017 18

Appendix table 1

Characteristics of nonfatal domestic violence victimizations, 

2006–2015

All victimizations* Reported to police

Characteristic

Average 

annual 

number Percent

Average 

annual 

number Percent

Sex of victim

Female 1,014,073 76% 570,183 78%

Male 313,579 24 162,656 22

Race/Hispanic origin of victima

White 903,598 68% 490,742 67%

Black 191,257 14 111,711 15

Hispanic 130,253 10 81,407 11

Other 102,544 8 48,979 7

Offender had weapon

Weapon 236,390 18% 142,921 20%

No weapon 1,041,697 82 560,901 80

Victim injury

Serious injury 87,039 7% 50,652 7%

Minor injury 463,582 36 281,962 39

Not injured 744,910 57 389,737 54

Location of incident

At or near home/lodging 1,030,066 78% 576,840 79%

Other location 297,586 22 155,999 21

Location of residence

Urban 463,798 35% 259,802 35%

Suburban 595,196 45 315,606 43

Rural 268,659 20 157,431 21

Prior incident(s) in last 6 months

Yes 664,518 51% 312,575 43% †

No 627,652 49 409,786 57 †

Other household members

Yes, with children age 11 

 or younger 596,066 45% 348,625 48%

Yes, no children age 11 

 or younger 461,180 35 243,776 33

None 270,406 20 140,438 19

Note: Detail may not sum to total due to rounding. See appendix table 2 for 

standard errors.

*Comparison group.

†Significant difference from comparison group at 95% confidence level.

aExcludes persons of Hispanic/Latino origin, unless specified. 

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 

2006–2015.

Appendix table 2

Standard errors for appendix table 1: Characteristics of 

nonfatal domestic violence victimizations, 2006–2015

All victimizations Reported to police

Characteristic

Average 

annual 

number Percent

Average 

annual 

number Percent

Sex of victim

Female 96,020 1.3% 66,505 1.6%

Male 45,882 1.2 30,897 1.4

Race/Hispanic origin of victim

White 89,142 1.4% 60,530 1.8%

Black 34,024 0.9 24,777 1.2

Hispanic 27,103 0.7 20,633 1.0

Other 23,574 0.7 15,463 0.8

Offender had weapon

Weapon 38,641 1.1% 28,623 1.4%

No weapon 97,702 1.2 65,821 1.6

Victim injury

Serious injury 21,443 0.6% 15,758 0.8%

Minor injury 58,415 1.4 43,000 1.8

Not injured 78,777 1.5 52,448 1.8

Location of incident

At or near home/lodging 96,996 1.3% 66,993 1.6%

Other location 44,437 1.2 30,142 1.4

Location of residence

Urban 58,432 1.4% 40,913 1.7%

Suburban 68,329 1.5 46,063 1.8

Rural 41,754 1.1 30,305 1.4

Prior incident(s) in last 6 months

Yes 73,260 1.5% 45,792 1.8%

No 70,659 1.5 54,103 1.8

Other household members

Yes, with children age 11 

 or younger 68,392 1.5% 48,963 1.8%

Yes, no children age 11 

 or younger 58,227 1.4 39,366 1.7

None 41,919 1.1 28,329 1.3

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 

2006–2015.
POLICE RESPONSE TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, 2006-2015 | MAY 2017 19

Appendix table 3

Percent of nonfatal domestic violence victimizations 

reported to police, by selected characteristics, 2006–2015

Characteristic

Average annual 

number of 

victimizations

Percent

reported

to police

Sex of victim

Female* 1,002,844 57%

Male 311,749 52

Race/Hispanic origin of victima

White* 895,894 55%

Black 188,984 59

Hispanic 128,026 64 †

Other 101,689 48

Offender had weapon

Weapon* 234,363 61%

No weapon 1,031,614 54 †

Victim injury

Serious injury* 87,039 58%

Minor injury 460,671 61

Not injured 734,761 53

Location of incident

At or near home/lodging* 1,021,532 56%

Other location 293,061 53

Location of residence

Urban* 459,588 57%

Suburban 589,130 54

Rural 265,874 59

Prior incident(s) in last 6 months

Yes* 655,355 48%

No 624,089 66 †

Other household members

Yes, with children age 11 or younger* 588,017 59%

Yes, no children age 11 or younger 456,683 53 †

None 269,893 52 †

Note: Data on whether police were informed were available for 99% of 

victimizations. Includes victimizations that police became aware of through 

other means and when police were already at the scene. Intimate partner 

includes current or former spouses, boyfriends, and girlfriends. Other relation 

includes immediate family (except spouses) and other relatives. See appendix 

table 4 for standard errors.

*Comparison group.

†Significant difference from comparison group at 95% confidence level.

aExcludes persons of Hispanic/Latino origin, unless specified. 

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 

2006–2015.

Appendix table 4

Standard errors for appendix table 3: Percent of nonfatal 

domestic violence victimizations reported to police, by 

selected characteristics, 2006–2015

Characteristic

Average annual 

number of 

victimizations

Percent

reported

to police

Sex of victim

Female 95,332 1.7%

Male 45,718 2.5

Race/Hispanic origin of victim

White 88,653 1.7%

Black 33,782 3.0

Hispanic 26,831 3.4

Other 23,459 3.8

Offender had weapon

Weapon 38,441 2.7%

No weapon 97,090 1.6

Victim injury

Serious injury 21,443 4.1%

Minor injury 58,187 2.1

Not injured 78,091 1.8

Location of incident

At or near home/lodging 96,476 1.6%

Other location 44,023 2.5

Location of residence

Urban 58,101 2.2%

Suburban 67,889 2.0

Rural 41,491 2.6

Prior incident(s) in last 6 months

Yes 72,618 1.9%

No 70,406 1.9

Other household members

Yes, with children age 11 or younger 67,808 1.9%

Yes, no children age 11 or younger 57,872 2.2

None 41,871 2.6

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 

2006-2015.
POLICE RESPONSE TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, 2006-2015 | MAY 2017 20

Appendix table 5

Nonfatal domestic violence victimizations reported to 

police resulting in a signed criminal complaint against the 

offender, by selected characteristics, 2006–2015

Characteristic

Average annual 

number of 

victimizations 

reported to policea

Percent 

resulting in 

signed complaint

Sex of victim

Female* 567,374 51%

Male 160,881 38 †

Race/Hispanic origin of victimb

White* 486,680 49%

Black 111,711 49

Hispanic 80,885 49

Other 48,979 35 †

Offender had weapon

Weapon* 142,671 56%

No weapon 556,566 46 †

Victim injury

Serious injury* 50,375 52%

Minor injury 281,314 57

Not injured 386,383 41 ‡

Location of incident

At or near home/lodging* 573,246 48%

Other location 155,009 49

Location of residence

Urban* 258,347 50%

Suburban 312,724 47

Rural 157,185 49

Prior incident(s) in last 6 months

Yes* 311,080 51%

No 407,102 47

Other household members

Yes, with children age 11 

 or younger* 347,266 52%

Yes, no children age 11 

 or younger 241,764 42 †

None 139,225 50

Who informed police

Victim* 540,994 52%

Other household member 70,466 50

Person outside household 100,945 34 †

Note: Data on whether a signed complaint was obtained were available for 99% 

of victimizations known to police. See appendix table 6 for standard errors.

*Comparison group.

†Significant difference from comparison group at 95% confidence level.

‡Significant difference from comparison group at 90% confidence level.

aCounts exclude victimizations for which complaint status was unknown.

bExcludes persons of Hispanic/Latino origin, unless specified.

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 

2006–2015.

Appendix table 6

Standard errors for appendix table 5: Nonfatal domestic 

violence victimizations reported to police resulting in a 

signed criminal complaint against the offender, by selected 

characteristics, 2006–2015

Characteristic

Average annual 

number of 

victimizations 

reported to police

Percent 

resulting in 

signed complaint

Sex of victim

Female 66,298 2.0%

Male 30,697 3.0

Race/Hispanic origin of victim

White 60,216 2.1%

Black 24,776 3.7

Hispanic 20,557 4.2

Other 15,463 4.9

Offender had weapon

Weapon 28,594 3.3%

No weapon 65,501 2.0

Victim injury

Serious injury 15,709 5.1%

Minor injury 42,939 2.6

Not injured 52,169 2.2

Location of incident

At or near home/lodging 66,730 2.0%

Other location 30,029 3.2

Location of residence

Urban 40,774 2.7%

Suburban 45,805 2.5

Rural 30,277 3.2

Prior incident(s) in last 6 months

Yes 45,658 2.5%

No 53,883 2.5

Other household members

Yes, with children age 11 or younger 48,846 2.3%

Yes, no children age 11 or younger 39,169 2.7

None 28,185 3.4

Who informed police

Victim 64,343 2.0%

Other household member 18,998 4.4

Person outside household 23,360 3.6

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 

2006–2015.
POLICE RESPONSE TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, 2006-2015 | MAY 2017 21

Appendix table 7

Nonfatal domestic violence victimizations reported to police 

resulting in the offender being arrested or charged, by 

selected characteristics, 2006–2015

Characteristic

Average annual 

number of 

victimizations 

reported to police

Percent resulting 

in arrest or 

charges filed

Sex of victim

Female* 547,043 42%

Male 157,450 30 †

Race/Hispanic origin of victima

White* 477,604 39%

Black 100,926 42

Hispanic 79,274 49 †

Other 46,689 23 †

Offender had weapon

Weapon* 139,862 45%

No weapon 540,962 38 ‡

Victim injury

Serious injury* 49,754 62%

Minor injury 264,336 53 ‡

Not injured 380,221 27 †

Location of incident

At or near home/lodging* 553,143 40%

Other location 151,350 37

Location of residence

Urban* 245,091 41%

Suburban 306,743 40

Rural 152,659 34 ‡

Prior incident(s) in last 6 months

Yes* 300,758 34%

No 394,507 44 †

Other household members

Yes, with children age 11 

 or younger* 333,697 42%

Yes, no children age 11 

 or younger 239,641 34 †

None 131,155 42

Who informed police

Victim* 519,874 38%

Other household member 70,207 49 †

Person outside household 99,054 43

Note: Data on whether there was an arrest or charges filed were available for 

96% of victimizations. See appendix table 8 for standard errors.

*Comparison group.

†Significant difference from comparison group at 95% confidence level.

‡Significant difference from comparison group at 90% confidence level.

aExcludes persons of Hispanic/Latino origin, unless specified.

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 

2006–2015.

Appendix table 8

Standard errors for appendix table 7: Nonfatal domestic 

violence victimizations reported to police resulting in 

the offender being arrested or charged, by selected 

characteristics, 2006–2015

Characteristic

Average annual 

number of 

victimizations 

reported to police

Percent resulting 

in arrest or 

charges filed

Sex of victim

Female 64,794 2.0%

Male 30,308 2.8

Race/Hispanic origin of victim

White 59,512 2.0%

Black 23,357 3.7

Hispanic 20,322 4.2

Other 15,053 4.3

Offender had weapon

Weapon 28,261 3.3%

No weapon 64,341 1.9

Victim injury

Serious injury 15,600 5.0%

Minor injury 41,345 2.6

Not injured 51,653 2.0

Location of incident

At or near home/lodging 65,247 1.9%

Other location 29,608 3.1

Location of residence

Urban 39,494 2.6%

Suburban 45,267 2.4

Rural 29,759 3.0

Prior incident(s) in last 6 months

Yes 44,726 2.3%

No 52,845 2.5

Other household members

Yes, with children age 11 or younger 47,664 2.2%

Yes, no children age 11 or younger 38,961 2.5

None 27,213 3.4

Who informed police

Victim 62,755 2.0%

Other household member 18,958 4.4

Person outside household 23,105 3.8

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 

2006–2015.
POLICE RESPONSE TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, 2006-2015 | MAY 2017 22

Appendix table 9

Estimates and standard errors for figure 1: Nonfatal domestic 

violence victimizations reported to police, 2006–2015

Estimate Standard error

All reported victimizations 56% 1.5%

Police took report at scene 78 1.6

Victim signed complaint 48 1.8

Offender arrested or charges were filed 39 1.8

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 

2006–2015.

Appendix table 10

Standard errors for table 1: Average annual number of 

nonfatal domestic violence victimizations reported to 

police, 2006–2015

Average annual 

number of 

victimizations

Victimizations reported to police

Type of domestic

violence victimization

Average annual 

number

Percent of all 

victimizations

All victimizations 113,650 77,961 1.5%

Intimate partner 88,215 60,814 1.7

Other relation 55,388 38,840 2.2

Serious violence 45,970 32,206 1.7%

Intimate partner 36,172 25,157 1.9

Other relation 23,056 16,919 2.5

Simple assault 82,365 56,787 1.7%

Intimate partner 64,161 44,799 1.9

Other relation 40,840 28,368 2.5

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 

2006–2015.

Appendix table 11

Estimates and standard errors for figure 2: Nonfatal 

domestic violence victimizations reported to police, by 

severity of injury and sex of victim, 2006–2015

Injury to victim

Female* Male

Estimate

Standard 

error Estimate

Standard 

error

All reported victimizations 57% 1.7% 52% 2.5%

Serious injury 54 3.4 77 † 5.6

Minor injury 62 2.3 57 4.0

No injury 55 2.1 49 ‡ 2.9

*Comparison group.

†Significant difference from comparison group at 95% confidence level.

‡Significant difference from comparison group at 90% confidence level.

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 

2006–2015.
POLICE RESPONSE TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, 2006-2015 | MAY 2017 23

Appendix table 13

Standard errors for table 3: Reasons cited by victims for not reporting nonfatal domestic violence victimizations

to police, 2006–2015

Type of domestic violence 

victimization

Average annual number 

of unreported victimizations Personal matter Protect offender

Crime was minor

or unimportant Fear of reprisal

Inefficient or

biased police

All victimizations 67,352 1.8% 1.5% 1.5% 1.4% 0.9%

Intimate partner 52,850 2.0 1.7 1.8 1.8 1.1

Other relation 33,589 2.9 2.5 2.0 1.8 1.1

Serious violence 27,765 2.0% 1.7% 1.6% 2.0% 1.3%

Intimate partner 22,434 2.3 1.8 1.9 2.4 1.6

Other relation 13,786 3.3 3.3 2.2 3.0 1.7

Simple assault 49,468 2.0% 1.7% 1.7% 1.3% 0.9%

Intimate partner 38,612 2.2 2.0 2.1 1.8 1.1

Other relation 25,558 3.4 2.7 2.5 1.5 1.0

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 2006–2015.

Appendix table 14

Standard errors for table 4: Violent crime victimizations, by level of violence and sex of victim, 2006–2015

Type of violent crime 

victimization

Average annual number of violent crime victimizations 

with known vicitm-offender relationships

Domestic violence Not domestic 

Total Intimate partner Other relation violence

Serious violence 112,028 0.8% 0.7% 0.5% 0.9%

Female victim 72,263 1.2 1.1 0.7 1.3

Male victim 70,186 0.7 0.5 0.5 0.9

Simple assault 219,055 0.8% 0.7% 0.4% 0.9%

Female victim 137,293 1.2 1.1 0.6 1.3

Male victim 138,235 0.7 0.4 0.5 0.9

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 2006–2015.

Appendix table 15

Estimates and standard errors for figure 3: Reasons for not reporting a nonfatal domestic violence victimization to police, by 

sex of victim, 2006–2015

Female* Male

Injury to victim Estimate Standard error Estimate Standard error

Fear of reprisal 24% 1.8% 6% † 1.3%

Protect offender 21 1.7 20 2.5

Inefficient or biased police 7 0.9 10 ‡ 1.8

Personal matter 31 2.0 36 3.1

Crime was minor or unimportant 17 1.5 28 † 2.9

*Comparison group.

†Significant difference from comparison group at 95% confidence level.

‡Significant difference from comparison group at 90% confidence level.

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 2006–2015.

Appendix table 12

Standard errors for table 2: Person reporting nonfatal domestic violence victimizations to police, 2006–2015

Type of domestic violence victimization

Average annual number 

of reported victimizations

Member of household Not a member of household

Victim Other Official Other

All victimizations 76,845 1.6% 0.9% 0.5% 1.0%

Intimate partner 59,967 1.8 0.8 0.7 1.2

Other relation 38,302 2.6 2.0 0.6 1.6

Serious violence 31,990 1.8% 1.1% 0.7% 1.1%

Intimate partner 24,995 2.0 1.0 0.9 1.3

Other relation 16,806 3.0 2.3 0.6 2.0

Simple assault 55,759 1.8% 1.1% 0.6% 1.1%

Intimate partner 44,012 2.0 0.9 0.8 1.4

Other relation 27,869 3.1 2.4 0.8 1.7

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 2006–2015.
POLICE RESPONSE TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, 2006-2015 | MAY 2017 24

Appendix table 16

Standard errors for table 5: Police times for nonfatal domestic violence victimizations reported to police, 2006–2015

Type of domestic

violence victimization

Average annual number 

of reported victimizations 10 minutes or less

More than 10 minutes 

but within 1 hour More than 1 hour

All victimizations 66,687 2.0% 1.7% 0.8%

Intimate partner 50,902 2.3 2.0 1.0

Other relation 35,087 2.8 2.6 1.0

Serious violence 28,205 2.2% 2.0% 0.9%

Intimate partner 21,440 2.6 2.5 1.2

Other relation 15,729 2.9 2.6 1.1

Simple assault 48,261 2.2% 2.0% 0.9%

Intimate partner 37,432 2.6 2.3 1.2

Other relation 25,293 3.4 3.2 1.3

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 2006–2015.

Appendix table 17

Standard errors for table 6: Police actions during initial response to nonfatal domestic violence victimizations reported to 

police, 2006–2015

Type of domestic

violence victimization

Average annual number 

of victimizations 

reported to police Took report Questioned persons Conducted search Collected evidence

All victimizations 72,717 1.6% 1.8% 1.2% 1.0%

Intimate partner 56,309 1.8 2.0 1.5 1.3

Other relation 36,975 2.5 2.8 1.4 1.3

Serious violence 30,382 1.7% 1.9% 1.6% 1.3%

Intimate partner 23,364 1.9 2.3 2.1 1.7

Other relation 16,507 2.6 3.0 1.9 1.4

Simple assault 52,790 1.9% 2.1% 1.2% 1.1%

Intimate partner 41,564 2.2 2.3 1.5 1.3

Other relation 26,654 3.0 3.3 1.4 1.6

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 2006–2015.

Appendix table 18

Standard errors for table 7: Arrests made during initial 

police response to nonfatal domestic violence victimizations 

reported to police, 2006–2015

Type of domestic 

violence victimization

Average annual number 

of victimizations 

reported to police

Percent of initial 

responses that 

included arrest

All victimizations 72,717 1.5%

Intimate partner 56,309 1.8

Other relation 36,975 2.1

Serious violence 30,382 1.7%

Intimate partner 23,364 2.1

Other relation 16,507 2.4

Simple assault 52,790 1.7%

Intimate partner 41,564 2.0

Other relation 26,654 2.5

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 

2006–2015.

Appendix table 19

Estimates and standard errors for figure 4: Offender arrested 

during initial police response to nonfatal domestic violence 

victimizations reported to police, by severity of injury and 

sex of victim, 2006–2015

Injury to victim

Female* Male

Estimate

Standard 

error Estimate

Standard 

error

All victimizations 24% 1.7% 22% 2.6%

Serious injury 32 4.2 44 7.5

Minor injury 32 2.6 27 4.6

No injury 16 1.8 16 2.8

*Comparison group.

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 

2006–2015.
POLICE RESPONSE TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, 2006-2015 | MAY 2017 25

Appendix table 20

Standard errors for table 8: Signed criminal complaints 

obtained in nonfatal domestic violence victimizations 

reported to police, 2006–2015

Type of domestic violence 

victimization

Average annual number 

of victimizations 

reported to police

Percent resulting 

in signed complaint

All victimizations 77,650 1.8%

Intimate partner 60,641 2.1

Other relation 38,609 2.7

Serious violence 32,127 2.0%

Intimate partner 25,065 2.4

Other relation 16,919 3.1

Simple assault 56,520 2.1%

Intimate partner 44,698 2.4

Other relation 28,104 3.0

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 

2006–2015.

APPENDIX TABLE 21

Estimates and standard errors for figure 5: Complaint 

signed by victim or other household member in nonfatal 

domestic violence victimizations reported to police, by 

severity of injury and sex of victim, 2006–2015

Injury to victim

Female* Male

Estimate

Standard 

error Estimate

Standard 

error

All victimizations 51% 2.0% 38% † 3.0%

Serious injury 58 4.4 32 † 6.9

Minor injury 60 2.8 45 † 5.0

No injury 43 2.5 35 ‡ 3.6

*Comparison group.

†Significant difference from comparison group at 95% confidence level.

‡Significant difference from comparison group at 90% confidence level.

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 

2006–2015.

APPENDIX TABLE 22

Standard errors for table 9: Police follow-up response to nonfatal domestic violence victimizations reported to police, 

2006–2015

Type of domestic violence victimization

Average annual number 

of victimizations reported 

to police

Had later contact 

with victim

Took follow-up 

actions

Made arrest during

follow-up

All victimizations 77,185 1.8% 1.7% 1.0%

Intimate partner 60,460 2.1 2.0 1.2

Other relation 38,164 2.6 2.5 1.2

Serious violence 31,806 2.0% 1.9% 1.1%

Intimate partner 24,956 2.4 2.3 1.4

Other relation 16,583 3.0 2.9 1.3

Simple assault 56,332 2.0% 1.9% 1.1%

Intimate partner 44,606 2.3 2.2 1.4

Other relation 27,944 2.9 2.8 1.4

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 2006–2015.
POLICE RESPONSE TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, 2006-2015 | MAY 2017 26

APPENDIX TABLE 25

Estimates and standard errors for figure 7: Police follow-up 

with nonfatal domestic violence victimizations reported to 

police, by whether a signed complaint was obtained and 

severity of injury, 2006–2015

Signed complaint* No signed complaint

Injury to victim Estimate

Standard 

error Estimate

Standard 

error

All victimizations 52% 2.4% 17% † 1.6%

Serious injury 60 5.2 22 † 4.5

Minor injury 57 3.2 18 † 2.6

No injury 46 3.2 17 † 1.9

*Comparison group.

†Significant difference from comparison group at 95% confidence level.

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 

2006–2015.

APPENDIX TABLE 26

Standard errors for table 11: Arrest or charges filed in 

nonfatal domestic violence victimizations reported to police, 

2006–2015

Type of domestic violence 

victimization

Average annual number 

of victimizations 

reported to police

Percent resulting 

in arrest or 

charges filed

All victimizations 76,028 1.8%

Intimate partner 59,107 2.1

Other relation 38,215 2.5

Serious violence 31,802 2.0%

Intimate partner 24,876 2.3

Other relation 16,681 3.0

Simple assault 55,035 2.0%

Intimate partner 43,163 2.4

Other relation 27,900 2.8

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 

2006–2015.

APPENDIX TABLE 27

Estimates and standard errors for figure 8: Arrest or charges 

filed related to nonfatal domestic violence victimizations 

reported to police, by severity of injury and sex of victim, 

2006–2015

Female* Male

Injury to victim Estimate

Standard 

error Estimate

Standard 

error

All victimizations 42% 2.0% 30% † 2.8%

Serious injury 62 4.4 63 7.3

Minor injury 56 2.9 38 † 4.9

No injury 29 2.2 22 † 3.1

*Comparison group.

†Significant difference from comparison group at 95% confidence level.

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 

2006–2015.

APPENDIX TABLE 24

Estimates and standard errors for figure 6: Police follow-up 

with nonfatal domestic violence victimizations reported to 

police, by severity of injury and sex of victim, 2006–2015

Injury to victim

Female* Male

Estimate

Standard 

error Estimate

Standard 

error

All victimizations 37% 1.9% 24% † 2.6%

Serious injury 42 4.4 43 7.5

Minor injury 43 2.7 28 † 4.4

No injury 32 2.3 20 † 3.0

*Comparison group.

†Significant difference from comparison group at 95% confidence level.

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 

2006–2015.

APPENDIX TABLE 23

Standard errors for table 10: State and local law enforcement agencies with a specialized domestic violence unit, 2013

Agency has specialized unit with—

Agency addresses but does not have 

specialized unit

Type of law enforcement agency 

and population served

Full-time 

personnel

Part-time 

personnel

Dedicated 

personnel

Policies, procedures,

or training only

Agency does not

formally address

Local police departments 1.0% 0.7% 0.9% 1.5% 1.1%

250,000 or more 1.1 0.4 0.6 1.0 0.0

50,000–249,999 1.4 1.0 1.4 1.6 0.5

10,000–49,999 1.1 1.0 1.5 1.9 1.0

9,999 or fewer 1.3 0.9 1.2 2.1 1.6

Sheriffs’ offices 1.4% 0.7% 1.5% 2.0% 1.1%

250,000 or more 2.6 2.5 2.4 2.6 1.5

50,000–249,999 2.4 1.5 2.6 3.3 1.5

10,000–49,999 2.2 1.2 2.3 3.1 1.8

9,999 or fewer 3.1 1.1 3.7 4.9 3.1

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Law Enforcement Management and Administrative Statistics Survey, 2013.
POLICE RESPONSE TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, 2006-2015 | MAY 2017 27

APPENDIX TABLE 29

Standard errors for table 12: State and local law enforcement agencies with a specialized unit for victim assistance, 2013

Agency has specialized unit with—

Agency addresses but does not have 

specialized unit

Type of law enforcement

agency and population served

Full-time

personnel

Part-time

personnel

Dedicated

personnel

Policies, procedures,

or training only

Agency does not 

formally address

Local police departments 0.9% 0.6% 0.9% 1.6% 1.4%

250,000 or more 1.9 0.7 1.4 1.7 0.9

50,000–249,999 1.2 0.9 1.2 1.4 1.4

10,000–49,999 0.9 0.8 1.4 1.9 1.4

9,999 or fewer 1.2 0.8 1.1 2.1 1.9

Sheriffs’ offices 1.3% 0.7% 1.4% 2.0% 1.6%

250,000 or more 2.3 2.2 1.7 2.5 3.0

50,000–249,999 2.4 1.3 2.3 3.3 2.6

10,000–49,999 2.0 1.1 2.2 3.1 2.6

9,999 or fewer 2.7 1.8 3.9 5.0 3.6

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Law Enforcement Management and Administrative Statistics Survey, 2013.

APPENDIX TABLE 30

Standard errors for table 13: Domestic violence victimizations in which assistance from a victim service agency was received, 

by type of crime, 2006–2015

Total Reported to police Not reported to police

Type of domestic violence victimization

Average

annual

number

Percent

receiving 

assistance

Average

annual

number

Percent

receiving 

assistance

Average

annual

number

Percent

receiving

assistance

All victimizations 113,483 1.1% 77,522 1.6% 67,036 1.2%

Intimate partner 88,328 1.4 60,519 1.9 52,824 1.5

Other relation 55,004 1.5 38,580 2.2 33,159 1.4

Serious violence 45,722 1.3% 32,092 1.7% 27,487 1.6%

Intimate partner 36,174 1.6 25,082 2.1 22,434 2.0

Other relation 22,685 1.8 16,846 2.5 13,349 2.0

Simple assault 82,438 1.2% 56,413 1.8% 49,399 1.2%

Intimate partner 64,285 1.5 44,543 2.1 38,582 1.5

Other relation 40,787 1.7 28,146 2.6 25,495 1.5

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 2006–2015.

APPENDIX TABLE 28

Estimates and standard errors for figure 9: Arrest or charges 

filed related to nonfatal domestic violence victimizations 

reported to police, by severity of injury and whether a signed 

complaint was obtained, 2006–2015

Signed complaint* No signed complaint

Injury to victim Estimate

Standard 

error Estimate

Standard 

error

All victimizations 59% 2.4% 21% † 1.8%

Serious injury 89 3.4 35 † 5.2

Minor injury 68 3.1 33 † 3.3

No injury 47 3.2 14 † 1.8

*Comparison group.

†Significant difference from comparison group at 95% confidence level.

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 

2006–2015.
The Bureau of Justice Statistics of the U.S. Department of Justice is the principal 

federal agency responsible for measuring crime, criminal victimization, criminal 

offenders, victims of crime, correlates of crime, and the operation of criminal 

and civil justice systems at the federal, state, tribal, and local levels. BJS collects, 

analyzes, and disseminates reliable and valid statistics on crime and justice 

systems in the United States, supports improvements to state and local criminal 

justice information systems, and participates with national and international 

organizations to develop and recommend national standards for justice statistics. 

Jeri M. Mulrow is acting director.

This report was written by Brian A. Reaves. Rachel Morgan and Connor Brooks 

verified the report.

Brigitte Coulton and Jill Thomas edited the report. Steve Grudziecki and 

Tina Dorsey produced the report.

May 2017, NCJ 250231

NCJ250231

Office of Justice Programs

Building Solutions • Supporting Communities • Advancing Justice

www.ojp.usdoj.gov