d by an intimate.
             Despite (or perhaps because of) the high level of domestic violence in the United States in the past, not much was done about it. This profound reluctance on the behalf of the police to become involved reflects society's attitude in that domestic violence is considered to be a "family problem." Over 100 years ago, Massachusetts became the
             first state in the United States to legally eliminate "wife-battering," slowly other states followed in outlawing battering (Hutchings, 1988). In addition, it has only been since the mid-1970s with the emergence of the feminist movement and the growing concern for the "rights and needs of victims" that pressure has been put on the police to redefine violence in the home. Among the most difficult and sensitive calls for police assistance are those involving domestic violence. When responding to a domestic incident the responsibility of the police is to provide safety and support for the victim, however, their discretion in performing this role has bee
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