The Voices of Black Women: Experiences of Intimate Partner Violence and Mandatory Arrest

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of Black female victims of IPV concerning mandatory arrest and how they perceive the outcomes and effects of the arrest on either partner involved. The findings revealed that Black women had mixed experiences with mandatory arrest; those with Black abusers reported positive experiences with this law, and those with White abusers experienced negative encounters. Eight out of twenty-three mandatory arrest states were identified as problematic states by Black women due to measures of poor police performance. Outcomes suggest that Black women with White abusers experience unique barriers associated with historical stereotypes and treatment of Black people, which in turn contribute to contemporary policing practices. The findings indicated that the effects of mandatory arrest may initially cause unintended outcomes for Black women. However, positive outcomes are attached to the law if the abuser remains incarcerated and the victim is allowed to move on with their life. These findings suggest that mandatory arrest can effectively protect Black women if the criminal justice response (police response, conviction, and incarceration) is effective. This research contributes to the current knowledge base and provides broader scholarship on Black female IPV, the implications of historical views and stereotypes of Black women contribute to discriminatory/racist practices adopted in police departments that downplay or ignore the voices of Black female victims, and the implications towards improving equality in policing practices and quality DV education among Black people.