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Understanding Access Barriers to Public Services: Lessons from a Randomized Domestic Violence Intervention

Author

Listed:
  • Martin F. Koppensteiner

    (University of Surrey)

  • Jesse Matheson

    (University of Sheffield)

  • Réka Plugor

    (University of Leicester)

Abstract

We study the effect of reducing barriers to accessing non-police services on the demand for police services in cases of police-reported domestic violence. Variation comes from a large randomized controlled trial designed to assist victims in accessing non-police services and we link information from local and national police administrative records and a survey of victims to form a unique dataset for the evaluation. The intervention led to a 18% decrease in the demand for police services, as measured by the provision of a statement by victims. Despite a strong correlation between statements and criminal sanctions against perpetrators, we do not find a corresponding effect of the intervention on perpetrator arrest, charges, or sentencing. This suggests that treated victims who do not provide a statement do so because their potential statement was relatively less effective for pursuing criminal sanctions. Consistent with this result, we find treatment group statements are significantly less likely to be withdrawn than are control group statements.

Suggested Citation

  • Martin F. Koppensteiner & Jesse Matheson & Réka Plugor, 2019. "Understanding Access Barriers to Public Services: Lessons from a Randomized Domestic Violence Intervention," School of Economics Discussion Papers 1319, School of Economics, University of Surrey.
    • Handle: RePEc:sur:surrec:1319
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    File URL: https://repec.som.surrey.ac.uk/2019/DP13-19.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. repec:mpr:mprres:7375 is not listed on IDEAS
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • J12 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Marriage; Marital Dissolution; Family Structure
    • H75 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - State and Local Government: Health, Education, and Welfare

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