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Rick Scott, Governor
Florida Department of Corrections, Secretary Michael D. Crews

Florida Department of Corrections
Michael D. Crews, Secretary

Florida's Perspective on Domestic Violence
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Punishment for Domestic Violence

The following questions were included in the survey to determine what action should be taken against someone who perpetrates an act of domestic violence.

Question 10
When the police have been called to a home, do you think an arrest should be made when the police suspect that domestic violence has occurred?

Arrest if Police Suspect Domestic Violence?

Respondents

Number

Percent

Yes

397

86.3%

No

63

13.7%

Total

460

100.0%

*Cases Not Applicable=42

Over 8 in 10 Floridians (86.3%) believe that an arrest should be made when the police suspect domestic violence has occurred. More women (90.3%) believed that an arrest should be made when the police suspect domestic violence has occurred, compared to men (80.1%).

Question 11
Do you think imprisonment is the appropriate punishment for domestic violence incidents involving serious bodily injury?

Is Imprisonment the Appropriate Punishment?

Respondents

Number

Percent

Yes

412

85.3%

No

71

14.7%

Total

483

100.0%

*Cases Not Applicable=19

Almost 9 of 10 Floridians (85.3%) believe imprisonment is the appropriate punishment for domestic violence incidents involving serious bodily injury.

Question 12
Do you believe that a person who has physically abused someone should be punished, forced to receive treatment, both or nothing?

Punishment for Physical Abuse

Respondents

Number

Percent

Punished and forced to receive treatment

381

76.7%

Forced to receive treatment

76

15.3%

Punished

39

7.8%

Nothing

1

0.2%

Total

497

100.0%

*Cases Not Applicable=5

Overall, 76.6% of Floridians believe that a person who has physically abused someone should be both punished and forced to receive treatment. Less than 8.0% believe punishment without treatment is sufficient.

Florida's Perspective on Domestic Violence
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