Social Policy Trends:
Bail Violations are Frequently a Precursor to a Domestic Violence Charge
A recent report examining the prior police encounters and criminal histories of male perpetrators of domestic violence in Calgary, Alberta suggests there are options for improving our response to these destructive behaviours. Specifically, the report’s approach holds the potential to identify patterns early and intervene before violence escalates, curbing violence against women and children, and improving the efficiency of criminal justice operations.
Bail charges are offences committed after an arrest. The number of bail charges levied against men increase in the two years prior to them being charged with a crime involving domestic violence.
This evidence is consistent with earlier findings that for many men, a charge involving domestic violence is preceded by an upward trajectory of criminal behaviour and other interactions with police. The evidence presented here suggests that the violation of bail conditions signals the potential for future charges involving domestic violence. Our research on the strength of this signal is on-going.