
Amanda L RobinsonCardiff University | CU · School of Social Sciences
Amanda L Robinson
PhD, Michigan State University
About
100
Publications
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Introduction
Amanda Robinson is Professor of Criminology and Co-Director of the Security, Crime & Intelligence Innovation Institute at Cardiff University, where she has worked since 2001. Amanda is an experienced researcher with a reputation for methodological rigour in combination with an ability to produce ‘digestible’ practice-based messages for practitioners and policy-makers.
Additional affiliations
March 2001 - May 2023
June 1996 - March 2001
Publications
Publications (100)
In this brief report, we evaluate Health Pathfinder, a ‘whole health response’ to domestic violence and abuse (DVA) in the United Kingdom. We used two national datasets: monitoring data for high-risk cases, and a service-level database used to track the performance of DVA services across the UK. Drawing on a comparative interrupted time series anal...
Health Pathfinder is a multilevel system change intervention initiated to transform the health response to domestic violence and abuse in eight sites in England. The current study drew upon interviews with health professionals ( n = 27) and victim-survivors ( n = 20) to provide a realist account of how this intervention achieved its goals. Findings...
This article explores “how do victims-survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) experience and perceive justice?” based on interviews with 251 victims-survivors with experience of different types of GBV and criminal, civil, and family justice systems. Victims-survivors were found to have multiple perceptions of justice, related to different points i...
This study examines the relationship between general offending and intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration in young adulthood, using a Dutch longitudinal study. Young adults were followed over four waves, and self-reported data on general offending, IPV perpetration, and a number of individual characteristics were collected. Results of random...
In this paper, we report findings from a qualitative, multidisciplinary analysis of 20 Child Practice Reviews (CPRs) (previously Serious Case Review) in Wales. The reviews were analysed from three different disciplinary perspectives: law, criminology and practice (social work). The following cross‐cutting themes were identified from our coding of t...
‘Victims claiming justice’ has surface simplicity but arises in a range of contexts influenced by different histories, facing different institutions offering different possibilities. It is this tremendous range of contexts and characteristics that has engaged researchers. Most have taken the idea of justice as a given. As guest editors of this symp...
This study examined how patterns in general offending relate to the occurrence of and likelihood of persistence in intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration in young adulthood. The study used longitudinal data from the cohort of 18 year olds from the Project on Human Development in Chicago Neighborhoods study. Self-reported offending was measure...
International research finds that the majority of harm from crime can be attributed to a small proportion of perpetrators. Accurately identifying these individuals as priorities for intervention can lead to significant harm reduction. A new method, the Priority Perpetrator Identification Tool, was implemented in three police force areas of England...
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to “read across” a sample of domestic homicide reviews (DHRs), mental health homicide reviews (MHHRs) and adult practice reviews (APR) to identify the cross-cutting themes.
Design/methodology/approach
The study involved a qualitative comparative analysis of 20 Welsh reviews: 10 DHRs, 6 APRs and 4 MHHRs. Each...
This study examines the relationship between criminal behaviour over the life-course and intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration and general violence in later life. The study uses data on a subsample (N = 585) from the Dutch Criminal Career and Life-Course Study, and combines officially registered longitudinal data on convictions with self-rep...
Coercive control is harmful behaviour recently criminalized in England and Wales. The extent to which the work of practitioners is informed by an understanding of coercive control therefore requires investigation. Using data from two mixed methods multi-site studies, this article suggests that practitioners' recognition of coercive control does not...
A gendered analysis of the problem of domestic violence and abuse has influenced, and continues to influence, the creation of law and policy throughout the UK. The traditional response by police and criminal justice agencies has been substantially transformed through the positive interplay between research, scholarship, campaigning, and collaborati...
In 2003, Julia Pemberton and her son, William, were murdered by her estranged husband. This crime revealed a disturbing lack of preparedness on the part of the police and resulted in sustained campaigning for accountability on the part of Julia’s family. This case, which will be discussed in more detail later in this chapter, formed the main stimul...
This chapter provides an overview of the key issues that signify the exceptional nature of American homicide. First, we analyse a unique dataset covering 32 years and 618,080 victims to describe overall trends, the demographic characteristics of victims and offenders, and the circumstances in which these events take place. Second, we discuss two co...
Analysis of information held by police, probation, and third-sector organizations in Wales about 100 domestic abuse perpetrators, along with 16 practitioner interviews, provides the empirical context for a discussion of the problem of “serial domestic abuse.” Despite increased concern over the harm caused by serial abusers, different definitions an...
The widespread introduction of risk assessment tools and procedures for domestic abuse has promoted expectations that such activities can be quickly administered in the field, be of high quality, and be sustainable in the face of increasing demand. Despite the considerable achievements that have been made, this article argues that police risk asses...
Our research consisted of a national mapping exercise followed by in-depth fieldwork in three police force areas. The fieldwork was wide ranging and included face-to-face conversations with police and partner agencies (n=61 interviews), observations of frontline responses to incidents (n=120 hours), force-wide surveys (n=1296 responses), and a case...
Recent research in Wales suggests that the group of domestic abuse perpetrators causing the most harm is likely to include some combination of serial, high-risk and repeat perpetrators (Robinson et al., 2014), evidence which led to the development of the Priority Perpetrator Identification Tool (PPIT) (Robinson & Clancy, 2015). The PPIT is designed...
Recent research in Wales suggests that the group of domestic abuse perpetrators causing the most harm is likely to include some combination of serial, high-risk and repeat perpetrators (Robinson et al., 2014), evidence which led to the development of the Priority Perpetrator Identification Tool (PPIT) (Robinson & Clancy, 2015). The PPIT has been de...
Police in the United States (US) and the United Kingdom (UK) now routinely use risk assessment tools to identify common risk factors for re-abuse and lethality when responding to domestic abuse. Nevertheless, little is known about the extent to which officers understand and perceive the importance of factors commonly included on risk assessment too...
This chapter discusses the development of multi-agency responses to domestic violence, and the vital role of the Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA). Amanda Robinson and Joanne Payton examine the strengths and limitations of the ‘risk-led’ approach to multi-agency working, which has dominated domestic violence agency partnerships, particul...
Physical violence is but one of many tools that may be used to gain greater power within intimate relationships, yet the legal response has been critiqued for failing to recognise and respond to the full spectrum of abusive behaviours, such as coercive control. Using a sample of police officers from the United States (US) and the United Kingdom (UK...
Part 1: Past research and learning
What is meant by a ‘risk-led approach’?
What are the tools and interventions associated with this approach?
What has been its impact?
Part 2: New research and learning
What is the national picture of risk-led policing in the UK and the use of DASH?
How do British and American police officers rate the importance...
This article presents key findings from a multisite evaluation of Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) services-a form of intervention targeted specifically at women experiencing severe domestic abuse. Results highlight the complex lives of women accessing these services and the efforts of IDVAs to connect women with multiple community reso...
Executive Summary
Overview
Our previous research into serial domestic abuse indicated the importance of shared multi-agency understanding when it comes to identification of and responses to the most serious forms of domestic abuse. Our last report, published in November 2014, questioned the prevailing assumption that serial abusers should be the fo...
This report tackles the emerging issue of domestic abuse perpetrated by adolescents, explored through the experiences of Gwent Domestic Abuse Service (GDAS), a charity founded in 2003, providing support to both the perpetrators and victims of domestic abuse, delivered with a whole family approach.
Domestic violence perpetrated by people under the...
Overview
The Integrated Offender Management (IOM) Cymru partnership commissioned this research to achieve a clearer picture of whether and how ‘serial domestic abuse’ is being understood, defined and recorded by Police forces, Probation providers and Third Sector partners across Wales. Phase one of the research included a qualitative mapping exerci...
Executive Summary
Overview
The Integrated Offender Management (IOM) Cymru partnership commissioned this research to achieve a clearer picture of whether and how ‘serial domestic abuse’ is being understood, defined and recorded by Police forces, Probation providers and Third Sector partners across Wales. Phase one of the research included a qualitat...
The Integrated Offender Management (IOM) Cymru partnership commissioned this research to investigate the feasibility of developing a shared definition and common multi-agency recording process for serial domestic abuse perpetrators across Wales.
This report sets out findings from phase one of the research which included a qualitative mapping exerc...
Executive Summary
The Integrated Offender Management (IOM) Cymru partnership commissioned this research to investigate the feasibility of developing a shared definition and common multi-agency recording process for serial domestic abuse perpetrators across Wales.
This report sets out findings from phase one of the research which included a qualitat...
Keynote speech delivered at Scotland’s National Domestic Abuse Conference, sponsored by COPFS (Scotland’s Prosecution Authority). Other keynote speakers included the Solicitor General of Scotland and the Chief Constable of Police Scotland.
Given the global prevalence of gender-based violence (a term that includes domestic abuse, rape, intimate partner violence, trafficking, honour-based violence, etc.), it is likely that a large proportion of asylum seeking, refugee and migrant women in Wales have experiences of such violence. Gender-based violence may have occurred in their country...
Multi-agency risk assessment conferences (MARACs) developed in the UK as a method to manage (reduce) the very extreme risks experienced by a proportion of domestic violence victims. The first MARAC was held in Cardiff, Wales in 2003 and now there are over 260 MARACs operating across England, Wales and Northern Ireland managing over 55,000 cases a y...
There are few quantitative studies that show the workplace is experienced in a different way by employees with disabilities. This article fills this gap using data from the British Workplace Behaviour Survey, which found that employees with disabilities and long-term illnesses were more likely to suffer ill-treatment in the workplace and experience...
Presentation delivered at Cardiff's Centre for Crime, Law and Justice seminar.
Data from the largest study to date of the working practices of British victim support workers (known as Independent Domestic Violence Advisors or IDVAs) are used to provide insight into how "risk judgments" are made in cases of domestic violence. Using data from more than 2,000 victims, this study found a convergence between actuarial data and IDV...
Trouble in the workplace - whether it is bullying, harassment or stress - is always in the headlines. Yet, in many discussions, the research and statistics that are cited prove unreliable. This book summarizes the largest specialist research programme on ill-treatment in the workplace so far undertaken. It provides a powerful antidote to half-truth...
This article explores the strengths and limitations of two different types of settings that provide specialist support to victims of sexual violence in the UK: Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) and voluntary sector organizations such as Rape Crisis. Qualitative data from six case study sites and quantitative data from 35 sexual violence proje...
Insight into ill treatment in the British workplace
Studies based on British Crime Survey (BCS) data suggest that the overall incidence of workplace assault is relatively low. However, these data have a number of limitations. They include only assaults carried out by clients or the public, provide limited information about the individuals in-volved and their workplaces, and tell us little about perc...
This paper explores the difficulties encountered by researchers attempting to measure the prevalence of negative workplace behaviours and how these might be overcome. Drawing on the first stage of a major ESRC‐funded study of workplace behaviours in Britain, we demonstrate the importance of improved sampling and data collection methods. We show how...
Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs) are trained support workers who
provide assistance and advice to victims of domestic violence. They work closely with
criminal justice and statutory partners, and may be based in many different settings.
There has been considerable expansion of IDVA services in recent years, as they are
linked to other...
The overall aim of the work is to assess how Independent Sexual Violence Advisor
(ISVA) services have been implemented in various settings and the perceived impact
they have had with regard to providing support to victims of sexual violence. ISVAs
are trained support workers who provide assistance and advice to victims of sexual
violence. Their goa...
This paper examines the investigation of volume crime cases and the processes of attrition through the investigative process using quantitative and qualitative data. More than 3000 burglary and motor vehicle cases in eight Basic Command Units in England and Wales, along with interview and documentary data, were analysed to identify the factors rela...
Several models of risk assessment for victims of domestic abuse have emerged in England, Wales, Scotland, Australia and the United States. In the United Kingdom, risk assessment and multi-agency approaches for very high-risk victims are a central part of the government's strategy to reduce domestic violence; therefore, risk assessment and managemen...
The current policy climate in Britain requires that agencies work together to improve their performance and provide a better service to clients. This is especially apparent in recent initiatives designed to improve the services afforded to victims of crime. Whilst there is an established literature dealing with both the potential benefits of, and c...
A new survey, the 2008 British Workplace Behaviour Survey, reports that
disabled people and people with long-term ill-health experience more negative
treatment in the workplace.
What is already known on this topic:
• Government policy encourages access to employment rather than dependence on welfare
benefits for disabled people and people with long...
Research was conducted with very high-risk victims of domestic violence to determine their levels of revictimization one year after being referred to a Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) and their perceptions of this type of intervention. The MARACs provide increased and ongoing communication between agencies and victims, risk assessme...
This exploratory study investigated the 'interface' between the civil and criminal courts in Cardiff using information from victims of domestic violence, advocates, and solicitors. The interface between civil and criminal courts is completely dependent upon the advocates that support victims through the legal process, rather than any formal policy...
The goal of Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conferences (MARACs) is to provide a forum for sharing information and taking actions to reduce harm to high-risk domestic violence victims. Interviews with participants and victims, observations, and police data reveal how the MARACs work in practice and also what they can accomplish. Results showed MARACs...
Victim retraction is almost universally viewed by criminal justice officials as a problematic outcome in cases of domestic violence, consequently policy initiatives have been designed to increase support to victims in the hope that more will decide to continue with their cases instead of retracting their statements. However our understanding of the...
The government's consultation paper on domestic violence 'Safety and Justice' (June 2003) acknowledged that domestic violence required focused attention by a range of agencies (in both civil and criminal settings) to address issues of prevention, protection and support. A key means of achieving this focus has been the development of specialist dome...
Purpose
– This paper seeks to investigate what victims of domestic violence expect police to do for them, and how these expectations subsequently influence their levels of satisfaction.
Design/methodology/approach
– Structured interviews with 222 victims of domestic violence were conducted by staff from an integrated community‐based service delive...
Using data from a survey of 354 lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) people living in Wales, we tested two models that included demographic characteristics (sex, age, children, disability, income, employment status), Wales-related variables (Welsh as first language, geographic region) and LGB-related variables (currently in same-sex relationship, partic...
Overall, our research indicates the notable and positive benefits of Specialist Domestic Violence Courts and Fast Track Systems in three key ways: • Both ‘clustering’ and ‘fast-tracking’ DV cases enhances the effectiveness of court and support services for victims. • Both SDVC and FTS arrangements make advocacy and information-sharing easier to acc...
This study describes the risk factors associated with experiencing and committing sexual aggression among a sample of male and female adolescents. High school students completed a questionnaire containing a revised form of the Sexual Experiences Survey to assess sexual victimization and offending experiences. Ordinal regression equations were estim...
Social capital is used as a theoretical framework to reveal the importance of relationships between officers and their supervisors for performing community policing. It is expected that officers with higher levels of social capital will accomplish more community policing than their peers who have lesser amounts of trust, cooperation, group cohesion...
This study assessed whether sexual assault offenders were differently adjudicated from other violent felons and to what extent any differences in adjudication decisions were explained by the defendant's race. Five court decisions were analyzed using a weighted sample of 41,151 cases adjudicated between 1990 and 1996 that were representative of case...
Much research has focused on the ways in which various community and criminal justice agencies attempt to intervene to break the cycle of domestic violence. Ultimately, this is the victim's decision, yet few researchers have attempted to identify the factors involved in the decision to end an abusive relationship. In particular, researchers have te...
Using a social constructionist perspective to guide our research, we combined quantitative and qualitative methods to explore the perspectives of correctional administrators. Specifically, we proposed that how administrators construct gender influences their views of appropriate programming for women offenders, their views of gender specific needs...
This paper describes the current state of policing in Norway. Interview data were collected from police administrators, police academy instructors, and police recruits. In addition, observational data were collected from patrol ride-alongs. The organizational structure of Norwegian police at the national level; individual police stations; police re...
Social capital theory provided a framework for assessing the impact of participation in the Michigan Victim Assistance Academy (MVAA), an intensive university based education program for people whose job includes assisting crime victims. The MVAA was designed to, among other things, increase participants’ social capital as reflected by quality of r...
As the experiences of black battered women with the police remain an underresearched issue, the current study focuses on the police arrest decision for these victims compared to other victims. Two important research questions are answered: (1) is the arrest rate for black battered women significantly lower compared to other domestic violence victim...
Schemata are used to organize knowledge, helping people interpret their environment and decide on courses of action. The current study examined the schemata of police officers socialized before and after the department changed its domestic violence policy to mandate arrests when probable cause exists in domestic disturbances. It was hypothesized th...
Research regarding the portrayals of minority groups on television has repeatedly indicated that these depictions emphasize negative and stereotypical images. The potential impact of such representations is of singular concern when the characterizations revolve around issues related to crime and violence. To assess the prevalence of this conceivabl...
Much research has focused on the police response to domestic violence; however, relatively little research has considered performance differences of various types of police officers. Although there has been widespread adoption of community policing by police departments across the country, it is not conclusive as to whether units with a specific co...
The effects of demographic, attitudinal, and situational variables on the domestic violence arrest decision were investigated using official data and officer attitudinal data. We examined some variables never before studied in this context (e.g., the demographic characteristics of officers) and improved on the measurement of many variables (e.g., v...
Limited research exists on the extent to which the public supports the criminalization of domestic violence, and whether people believe police pro-arrest policies will deter future offending. Based on conflict theory, it is hypothesized that there will be differences in support for criminalization between powerful (i.e., middle to upper class Cauca...