When perpetrators deny: unpacking police responses to domestic violence cases

Purpose Although denial is common in domestic violence (DV) cases, its impact on police decision-making remains underexplored. The study investigates whether officers modify their intended course of action when a suspect denies responsibility and whether denial operates independently of evidentiary factors, particularly the presence or absence of physical violence. Design/methodology/approach A vignette-based survey was administered to police officers in one Australian state. Participants were randomly assigned to scenarios in which the evidentiary context varied, and they rated the likelihood of undertaking various policing actions, as well as the perceived seriousness and risk of the incident. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare responses to closed-ended questions across conditions, establishing a quantitative baseline for assessing whether denial alone altered intended responses. Open-ended responses were analysed thematically to explore whether and how officers reported modifying their course of action in response to perpetrator denial and how they reasoned about such decisions. Findings Denial alone did not substantially alter officers' reported intended actions. Instead, responses were more strongly shaped by evidentiary considerations, particularly the presence of visible physical harm. These findings highlight the centrality of evidentiary reasoning in DV policing and underscore the importance of examining how denial is understood within evolving policy and legislative contexts. Originality/value By combining quantitative and qualitative vignette data, this study provides novel insight into how police discretion and evidentiary reasoning operate in contested DV cases, informing policy, training, and victim-centred policing practice.