Spatial Analysis of Domestic Violence Presented at the University of California, Irvine By Michelle Plyer May 14 th, 2005

Acknowledgements Mentor: Professor Jim Meeker Mentor: Professor Jim Meeker Advisor: Professor Valerie Jenness Advisor: Professor Valerie Jenness Graduate Student: Phil Goodman Graduate Student: Phil Goodman Funding: Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program Funding: Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program Santa Ana Police Santa Ana Police Legal Aid of Orange County Legal Aid of Orange County

Domestic Violence As A Social Problem Nearly one-third of American women report being physically or sexually abused by an intimate partner at some point in their life. Nearly one-third of American women report being physically or sexually abused by an intimate partner at some point in their life. Intimate partner violence is primarily a crime against women. (85% of victims). Intimate partner violence is primarily a crime against women. (85% of victims). 3 women are killed a day by an intimate partner 3 women are killed a day by an intimate partner

Institutional Responses Police Policies Police Policies Sentencing Policies Sentencing Policies Resources for Victims Resources for Victims

Objective To locate areas in Santa Ana with high rates of domestic violence in order to assist Legal Aid with their outreach. To locate areas in Santa Ana with high rates of domestic violence in order to assist Legal Aid with their outreach. And to identify possible variables related to occurrences of domestic violence. And to identify possible variables related to occurrences of domestic violence.

Previous Domestic Violence Research As Diversity increases there are less shared values, and domestic violence increases. (Buzawa, 2003) As Diversity increases there are less shared values, and domestic violence increases. (Buzawa, 2003) As Poverty increases, domestic violence increases. (Benson, 2004, Lyon, 1997) As Poverty increases, domestic violence increases. (Benson, 2004, Lyon, 1997) As Affluence increases, domestic violence decreases. As Affluence increases, domestic violence decreases. As Population Density increases, domestic violence increases. (Buvnic, 2000, Carson, 1998) As Population Density increases, domestic violence increases. (Buvnic, 2000, Carson, 1998)

Hypothesis The rate of domestic violence calls for service in Santa Ana is related to certain demographic variables such as poverty/affluence, diversity, foreign born status, and population density. The rate of domestic violence calls for service in Santa Ana is related to certain demographic variables such as poverty/affluence, diversity, foreign born status, and population density.

Data Sources Police Calls For Service Police Calls For Service Legal Aid Cases Legal Aid Cases U.S. Census Bureau U.S. Census Bureau

Methods Statistical Analysis of Data Bi-Variant Correlations Bi-Variant Correlations Multi-Variant Correlations Multiple Regressions

Independent Variables Affluence Created new variable using Owner Occupied and Median Income. Population Density Defined as population per square mile. Percent Foreign Born Total number of Foreign Born citizens divided by population. Diversity Used Simpson’s model of diversity with a modification of (1- (Simpson’s equation)

Police Calls Legal Aid Cases Diversity Foreign Born Population Density Affluence Police Calls * Legal Aid Cases * Diversity *1.558**.158*-.019 Foreign Born **1.627**-.320** Population Density *.627**1-.448** Affluence-.200* **-.448**1 Correlations of Dependent & Independent Variables *p<.05 **p<.001

Linear Regression for Police Calls for Service b(SE) Beta Diversity (6.106) Affluence *** (0.432) Population Density * (0.352) Percent Foreign Born (4.097) R=.295 R 2 =.087 AdjR 2 =.064 F 4,164 =3.819** *p<.05 **p<.01 ***p<.001

Linear Regression for Legal Aid Cases b(SE) Beta Diversity 1.043*.221 (.465) Affluence (.033) Population Density (.027) Percent Foreign Born (.312) R=.203 R 2=.041 AdjR 2=.017 F 4,164 = *p<.05

Methods (Cont.) GIS (Geographical Information Systems)

Affluence Based on Standard Deviations From the Mean Affluence

Affluence & Police Calls Affluence Police Calls

Affluence & Legal Aid Cases Affluence Police Calls

Affluence & Police Calls for Service Hotspots Affluence Police Hotspots

Population Density (population per square mile) Population Density & greater

Population Density & Police Calls Population Density Police Calls

Population Density & Legal Aid Cases Population Density Legal Aid Case

Population Density & Police Calls for Service Hotspots Population Density Police Hotspot

Percent Diversity

Percent Diversity & Police Calls Percent Diversity Police Calls

Percent Diversity & Legal Aid Cases Percent Diversity Legal Aid Case

Percent Diversity & Police Calls for Service Hotspot Percent Diversity Police Hotspots

Police Hotspot & Legal Aid Cases Police Hotspots Legal Aid Cases Santa Ana Boundary

Summary Affluence is negatively correlated with Police Calls for Service for domestic violence. Affluence is negatively correlated with Police Calls for Service for domestic violence. Population Density is negatively correlated with Police Calls for Service for domestic violence. Population Density is negatively correlated with Police Calls for Service for domestic violence. Diversity is positively correlated with Legal Aid cases for domestic violence. Diversity is positively correlated with Legal Aid cases for domestic violence.

Discussion This research confirms what prior research has found, that affluence is negatively correlated with domestic violence rates. This research confirms what prior research has found, that affluence is negatively correlated with domestic violence rates. This research did not show a positive correlation between population density and domestic violence rates. This research did not show a positive correlation between population density and domestic violence rates. The research also showed a positive correlation between diversity and Legal Aid cases, however the linear regression equation was not significant. The research also showed a positive correlation between diversity and Legal Aid cases, however the linear regression equation was not significant.

Further Research Additional Data Additional Years for Police Calls for Service for domestic violence and Legal Aid Cases. Hotline Calls for Legal Aid Additional Cities Long Beach & Anaheim

For Further Inquiries Feel Free to Contact: Michelle Plyer Department of Criminology, Law & Society University Of California, Irvine

Percent Foreign Born

Percent Foreign Born & Legal Aid Cases Percent Foreign Born Legal Aid Case

Percent Foreign Born & Police Calls Percent Foreign Born Police Calls

Percent Foreign Born & Police Calls for Service Hotspots Percent Foreign Born Police Hotspots