Customer Reviews

Domestic Violence: Facts and Fallacies

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"...domestic violence... is still not treated as a serious crime by the criminal justice system because it is not by legal definition a serious crime." In his text 'Domestic Violence, Facts and Fallacies,' Richard L. Davis shares anecdotes and insights from his twenty-one years on the Brockton, Massachusetts police force and single-handedly shatters the stereotype of the macho, donut munching man in blue. It is very difficult to fully get one's mind around the concept of domestic violence. Relationships in the 90's are very fluid and unconventional: this alone can stretch the definition of "domestic." Davis spends the first few chapters trying to elucidate a broad definition of domestic violence, and frankly, gets bogged down in doing so. He also investigates the history of gender relationships in our society. However, these steps are necessary in order to lay the groundwork for his premise that "...for every complex problem there is a simple and elegant solution that is wrong." The quagmire of mandatory arrests and civil (as opposed to criminal) restraining orders are some of the solutions we have relied upon that are not only dysfunctional, but may be fanning the flames of domestic violence. His data is well researched and reflects many recent news events such as the O. J. Simpson trial and the court frolics of Red Sox player Wilfredo Cordero. What I found riveting in this book are the timely anecdotes that Davis shares from his career. He relates that fellow officers feel (and express!) their perceived helplessness in making a difference against violent acts in the home. Particularly irksome for them is the widespread belief that police "let their suspects go" without even spending a night in jail. In fact, anyone who posts bail must, by law, be set free. Also ironic is the fact that police can do nothing until an act of violence has very nearly or actually come to pass. It is this "reactive" response that Davis rails against. He raises difficult questions, especially in regard to how we permit children to live in violent homes and then, unrealistically, expect them to grow up into outstanding citizens. Law enforcement processes are a reflection of the society that spawns them. Davis outlines steps that society must take in order to hold a proactive stance against the crime of domestic violence. He ends his text with a call to action for all women who must become informed and take back their power in the political arena.

As the former Executive Director of an agency that provides batterer intervention services to men arrested for domestic violence, this book comes as a refreshing statement. I wholly subscribe to his thesis that the criminal justice system, especially in Massachustts where Richard Davis and I both have worked, does not provide the panacea in solving domestic violence. The criminal justice system, as Richard Davis asserts, does have its place, but there is the need for greater attention and resources to go into prevention. His call for women to bcome more assertive in taking over the leadership of the society, certainly in the Legislature, is important. But the society also needs to cultivate more good men like Richard Davis so that the commitment to the reduction of violence can continue.

A good overview of the issues around domestic violence from the view point of a police officer.

Domestic Violence Facts and Fallacies by R.L. Davis is a refreshing much needed look at a serious societal problem. Through the eyes of a police officer we come to see and understand the magnitude of this epidemic. Who better to speak to the subject than a police officer, someone who experiences and witnesses it daily in the course of their duties. I found the author gets right to the heart of the problem as no other has. As a 20 year police veteran I found the book compelling. reading.

Davis is well equipped to write such a book. He has had 10 years of street experience responding to domestic violence calls as a cruiser officer; eight years as a police detective then sergeant; and three years as a lieutenant, training and lecturing on the subject. In addition, he writes in a lucid style, that can be easily understood by students, professionals and the general public. This book should be a major resource in understanding of the domestic violence problem and will no doubt be a text book in demand by academics.