"Second responder programs are based on the premises that family violence often recurs and that victims are likely to be especially receptive to crime prevention opportunities immediately following victimization. A team usually consisting of
a police officer and a victim advocate follow-up on the initial police response to a family violence complaint, provides the victim with information on services and legal options and may warn those perpetrators present at the follow-up of the legal
consequences of continued abuse. The purpose of the intervention is to reduce the likelihood of a new offense by helping victims to understand the cyclical nature of
family violence, develop a safety plan, obtain a restraining order, increase their knowledge about legal rights and options, and provide shelter placement or other relocation assistance. A secondary aim of the intervention with victims may be to
establish greater independence for victims through counseling, job training, public assistance, or other social service referrals. The intervention has spread widely, with support from the U.S. Department of Justice." (from the abstract). See #4525 for a brief summary of this research written by the UK based College of Policing.