All About Trust: Attitudes Toward Mandatory Reporting Among Victims and Perpetrators of Intimate Partner Violence

The study aimed to examine attitudes toward mandatory reporting of intimate partner violence (MR-IPV) among 86 victims and 41 perpetrators of intimate partner violence (IPV) in Norway. Descriptive results were examined, and multivariate ordinal regression was used to examine differences between victims and perpetrators, and predictors of attitudes. Overall, victims and perpetrators were positive toward MR-IPV, and there was high consensus on slightly more than half the statements. Arguments that MR-IPV is unwanted and can decrease trust and help-seeking were not supported in the study, but concerns that MR-IPV can lead to worse IPV highlight the complexity of MR-IPV and the importance of considering safety issues when help services intervene. Victims and perpetrators only reported different attitudes regarding two aspects of MR-IPV. More victims agreed that MR-IPV can lead to worse IPV and more disagreed that MR-IPV is a safeguard for perpetrators. The most consistent predictor of attitudes was trust in health services, with more positive attitudes among those reporting higher trust. The results support MR-IPV as an important intervention for preventing IPV. The association between attitudes and trust could indicate a need for viewing MR-IPV in its broader context, taking into account the general help service response.