- Officers' recognition of domestic violence intervention importance and leader support positively predict willingness to implement the Anti-DV Law.
- Officers' discretion functions as a key pathway linking recognition and leader support to actual enforcement decisions.
- Tolerance for domestic violence and prior training moderate effects; supervisory and institutional support plus appropriate training strengthen enforcement.
Violence Vict. 2026 Jul 15:VV-2025-0115.R1. doi: 10.1891/VV-2025-0115. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
China’s National Anti-Domestic Violence Law (Anti-DV Law) represents a major step forward in protecting survivors, yet its enforcement relies on police officers as frontline responders. Guided by the theory of planned behavior (TPB), this study examined the relationships between recognition of the importance of domestic violence intervention, leader support, discretion, and officers’ willingness to enforce the Anti-DV Law. Using survey data from 1,979 officers across five provinces in China, structural equation modeling showed that the modified TPB model fit well. Officers’ recognition of the importance of domestic violence intervention and leader support were positively associated with officers’ willingness to implement the Anti-DV Law, with officers’ discretion emerging as an important pathway. In addition, exploratory analyses identified moderating roles of tolerance for domestic violence and training experiences. These findings highlight the importance of supervisory and institutional support and appropriate training in strengthening police enforcement of the Anti-DV Law.
PMID:42457382 | DOI:10.1891/VV-2025-0115
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