Police and Justice Costs of Domestic Violence Perpetration

Recent research published by the School of Public Policy provides compelling evidence that domestic violence is not random. Warning signs often appear through police interactions long before an offence occurs. These patterns create opportunities for targeted early interventions, enabling police and community partners to interrupt the progression of behaviours that can lead to violence. But prevention isn’t only about safety—it’s also about lowering costs. Reducing perpetration lowers the substantial costs borne by police and the justice system in investigating, arresting, and processing domestic violence cases.