Roadblocks to Reporting: Examining Barriers that Deter Domestic Violence Victim-Survivors from Reporting to Law Enforcement in Rural Communities of Pennsylvania

Abstract

Domestic violence, including intimate partner violence (DV/IPV), is a pervasive issue within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. As this crime commonly goes unreported, this study seeks to understand the lack of reporting from the perspective of victim-survivors. Through one-on-one interviews, coupled with a supplemental survey, this study examines the barriers that victim-survivors may face when it comes to reporting DV/IPV victimization to law enforcement. Further, this study examines how barriers may differ among rural and urban Pennsylvanians, and how this may impact their ability to access services or resources from local victim service agencies. Policy considerations stemming from the findings are reviewed.