Matching batterer typologies with their risk of recidivism: Boosting the applicability of typological research

Abstract

In order to improve the applicability of criminal typologies, Spanish intimate partner violence against women offender subtypes (i.e., high instability/high antisociality, HiHa; low instability/high antisociality, LiHa, high instability/low antisociality, HiLa; low instability/low antisociality, LiLa) were matched with their police recidivism outcomes in a longitudinal study of 9,672 cases extracted from the VioGén System. Individuals with high antisociality features showed the highest recidivism (26.5% HiHa; 22.6% LiHa) and multi-recidivism rates (10.7% HiHa; 8.1% LiHa), and were more likely to be reported for new severe violent episodes against their victims (8.1% LiHa; 7.7% HiHa;) and to violate the protective orders imposed (28.8% HiHa; 28.1% LiHa). Following risk-need-responsivity principles, HiHa and LiHa offenders should be assigned higher intensity treatment programs than LiLa and HiLa individuals. Additionally, the risk posed by all offender subtypes decreased during the follow-up period; however, HiHa offenders presented with the highest risk over time and had a longer police monitoring. Considering this, law enforcement agencies should deploy the most intense police protection measures for victims of HiHa individuals. With regard to prison data, individuals with greater antisociality (HiHa and LiHa) and criminal versatility (generalist batterers) were the most represented in prison; therefore, it would be advisable to include therapeutic ingredients for common offenders in prison-based batterer intervention programs.