Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson signed a bill on Wednesday, April 1, 2015, requiring police to screen domestic abuse victims to assess their risk of being killed in a domestic homicide. This is a proactive step that aims to reduce lethal intimate partner violence.
“Laura’s Law” requires Arkansas police officers responding to domestic violence incidents to ask victims a series of questions to evaluate their risk of being killed by abuse. The assessment aims to help identify victims needing intervention. Police will present each victim with a “Laura’s Card” which is a document listing their rights and contact information for local prosecutors and shelters.
Laura’s Law & Laura’s Card
Frequently Asked Questions for Law Enforcement
Responding to Domestic Violence Calls
• Who should the officer give Laura’s card and the lethality assessment to?
Officers should give Laura’s card and complete the assessment for any victim of domestic violence. (Laura’s card is to be issued to all victims of crime)
• When should the officer give the victim Laura’s card or complete the lethality assessment?
The officer should give the victim Laura’s card when it is safe to do so and not in view of the abuser to reduce further safety risks to the victim. The same is true for the lethality assessment. The assessment should be completed when the abuser is not in view, so that the victim feels safe answering the questions and answering them honestly. Officers should let victims know that the lethality assessment is a tool to help ensure their safety.
• Is the officer responsible for calling any of the numbers on Laura’s card once issued?
No, the phone numbers on the card are for the victim to call, if they choose to do so. If the victim does not have a phone to call, the officer should make a phone available so they can call.
• Which phone number on Laura’s card should a victim be encouraged to call first?
Officers should have a victim call the domestic violence shelter serving their community first, especially if it is after business hours and they are in immediate danger. The domestic violence shelter has a victim advocate on duty 24 hours a day to be able to assist.
• What is the officer supposed to do with the lethality assessment once completed?
The purpose of the lethality assessment is to alert the victim and the legal system to degree of risk associated with this particular victim so that all parties will know to take greater steps to help ensure the victims safety. Officers should attach the assessment to the incident report and keep for their agencies records.
• When conducting the lethality assessment, how do officers need to respond to victims when their level of risk is high?
Officers should share with victims how great their level of risk is and assist with calling a local shelter in the city they are in, IF the victim chooses. Law enforcement do not need to call for the victim or make a call to any of the numbers on the card to report incident.
For more information: www.cji.edu/resources/lauras-law/
