Family Business or Social Problem? The Cost of Unreported Domestic Violence: Examining Social and Judicial Interventions and In-School Peer Effects

Scott Carrell, Associate Professor of Economics at UCDavis Social interest in problems such as domestic violence is typically motivated by concerns regarding equity, rather than efficiency. However, we document that taking steps to reduce domestic violence by reporting it yields substantial benefits to external parties. Specifically, we find that while children exposed to as-yet-unreported domestic violence reduce the achievement of their classroom peers, these costs disappear completely once the parent reports the violence to the court.

• scott carrell