Lived experiences of police officers dealing with domestic violence matters in Mankweng, Limpopo Province

Abstract

Several studies show that domestic violence is a global problem that the police deal with daily. Police officers are mostly being called upon to intervene during domestic violence occurrences. The police are considered first responders to domestic violence and other emergencies because of their broader scope. This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of police officers who are dealing with domestic violence matters in Mankweng, Limpopo Province, South Africa. This study was qualitative and employed an exploratory case study to get insight into the lived experiences of police officers who are assigned to handle domestic violence cases. Five police officers were sampled from Mankweng Police Station using purposive and snowball sampling techniques. To stay in line with Covid-19 national regulations, data was collected via individual telephone interviews. Data was collected until saturation was reached and analysed thematically. The study found that police officers require the necessary skills and resources to deal with victims and survivors of domestic violence, especially those who have experienced emotional abuse. Furthermore, the study revealed a need for inter-professional collaboration between the police and social service agencies. Dealing with domestic violence presents complications for police officers, especially when they have to make an informed decision. The study recommends that more social workers should be hired in the police stations to assist police officers in handling domestic violence cases.