Versatile or specialized criminal trajectories? Domestic violence aggressors

Abstract

The aim of this study was to describe the evolution of criminal trajectories, specialized or versatile, of a group of 10,505 Chilean men arrested for domestic violence crimes in 2007, starting from all new arrests carried out the following 9 years (2007 to 2016) in order to identify the best intervention strategies. A longitudinal pseudoprospective design was used, as if it corresponded to a prospective longitudinal study. The results indicate that 93.2% of men relapsed, accumulating 95,207 new arrests. Both frequency and prevalence prevailed in violent crimes. Criminal specialization is low (13.9%), as is recidivism for violence against women and other relatives. Versatile aggressors (86.1%) turned out to be the most frequent offenders, participating in more violent crimes and achieving more extensive criminal trajectories. Rehabilitation and intervention strategies suitable for particular characteristics of each criminal trajectory are required.