Protective order violation in gender-based violence: Risk indicators' analysis using VPR4.0

Abstract

Protective order (PO) violation in gender-based violence cases is a police and criminal act of recidivism that has been widely researched in Spain. The main objective was to identify indicators of police risk assessment used by Spanish Police-Valoración Policial del Riesgo (VPR4.0)-that are related to PO violation, differentiating between violent and non-violent. For this purpose, a retrospective research comparing PO violation vs. non-PO violation groups monitored from thirteen to fifteen months was conducted. The sample (N = 4,745) shows that PO was violated in 23.9% of cases, half of them being violent violations. It is concluded that VPR4.0can be used to predict possible future PO violation cases. In addition, indicators referring to an aggressor's characteristics showed a greater predictive capacity for PO violation and its types. Implications for judicial and police practice are discussed.