The Consequences of Cumulative Trauma: How Crisis Exposure and Intimate Partner Violence Impact Perceptions of Police Across Six Countries

Positive perceptions and trust in police have declined globally in recent years. At the same time, many countries have faced major crises such as wars, public health emergencies, and natural disasters. Drawing on a cross-national survey recently conducted in six countries (United States, Denmark, Netherlands, Pakistan, Guatemala, and Ukraine), this study examines how crisis exposure shapes public perceptions of police. Additionally, it addresses how intimate partner violence (IPV), a pervasive issue often exacerbated during crises, impacts police perceptions both independently and in interaction with crisis exposure. The findings reveal that in Ukraine, exposure to crises, and in Denmark, experiencing IPV, increase negative perceptions of police. Interactive effects between crisis exposure and IPV are observed in Ukraine and Pakistan. Sociodemographic differences in police perceptions across countries are also found. The study provides policy implications focused on reducing the detrimental impact of global traumatic events and improving the public's perceptions of law enforcement, in addition to theoretical implications for improving frameworks on the impact of cumulative trauma on police perceptions around the world.