Background

The characteristics of individuals who employ violence are extremely important, but it can be very difficult to form profiles of the perpetrators. Such attempts may nevertheless lead to better adoption of corrective and educational actions aimed at people who employ violence, thereby reducing incidences of violence.

Objectives

The purpose of the research was to characterize individuals employing violence in northwest Poland.

Material and methods

The research material consisted of Blue Card files opened in 2012–2013 in the city of Szczecin. 1,299 documents were analyzed. A diagnostic survey based on document analysis was chosen as the method for e research.

Results

Violence was employed mostly by men (1,148; 88.38%) aged 41–60 living in the city center (366; 28.18%). Violence was most often employed against a spouse (534; 41.11%) or a partner (311; 23.94%). The vast majority of perpetrators (554; 64.57%) were aggressive during police intervention; alcohol abusers constituted the greatest group of people employing violence (919; 78.82%).

Conclusions

Gender is an important factor in the use of violence. Men employ violence much more often than women. Aggression is the most common type of behavior in cases where a Blue Card procedure is initiated. Behavioral disturbances mostly associated with alcohol abuse are the main determinants of the use of violence.