Specialised courts and the reporting of intimate partner violence: Evidence from Spain

• Published in: Journal of public economics Vol. 239; p. 105243
• Main Authors: García-Hombrados, Jorge, Martínez-Matute, Marta, Villa, Carmen
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.11.2024
• Subjects: Intimate partner violence; Reporting of intimate partner violence; Specialised intimate partner violence courts; K38; Intimate partner violence; J12; J16; Specialised intimate partner violence courts; K14; Reporting of intimate partner violence
• ISSN: 0047-2727
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpubeco.2024.105243

This paper assesses the effect of the creation of specialised intimate partner violence (IPV) courts on the reporting of IPV, and the incidence of IPV homicides in Spain. We find that the opening of a specialised IPV court increases the reporting of IPV by nearly 122 offences per 100,000 inhabitants, or 28% in the preferred specification. The rise in reporting is primarily driven by an increase in the reporting of moderate offences. We do not find conclusive evidence on the effects of specialised courts on IPV homicides. •Underreporting of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) hampers effectiveness of anti-IPV policies.•IPV courts increase the reporting of IPV in Spain by 28%.•The effect is driven by an increase in the reporting of moderate IPV offences.•No conclusive evidence on IPV homicides.