A Qualitative Evaluation of the Effects of Mandatory Reporting of Domestic Violence on Victims and Their Children

This purpose of this research was to evaluate the mandatory reporting law for domestic violence victims in the state of Kentucky through the qualitative interview of 24 female victims of domestic violence. Victims were generally supportive of the law and felt that professionals should be required to report domestic abuse. They did not feel that the report placed them at higher risk of revictimization or loss of their children to child protective services. The women were offered and utilized a range of supportive services. Criticisms of the process included the “secrecy” of contact, a simplistic conceptualization of family violence, and failure by police to act on the report. This research offers preliminary support for mandatory reporting as an effective intervention for domestic violence from the perspective of victims.