Abstract:
his study aimed at assessing the extent to which community policing strategies have
contributed to reducing domestic violence in Rorya District in Mara Region,
Tanzania. Specifically by identifying the extent to which community policing
strategies contributed to reducing domestic violence and increasing community
safety; assessing the extent to which communities are aware of these strategies; and
examining the challenges faced by community policing strategies in Rorya District.
The study employed an interpretivist philosophy and a qualitative research approach
to assess the effectiveness of community policing strategies in mitigating domestic
violence in Rorya District, Tanzania. A case study design focused on five wards with
active community policing initiatives, where data were collected through in-depth
interviews, focus group discussions, and direct observations. Purposive sampling
selected 33 participants including community members, local leaders, and police
officers and data were analyzed using thematic analysis to identify key themes
related to the study objectives. Ethical considerations such as informed consent and
confidentiality were strictly adhered to, and a pilot study was conducted to refine
data collection instruments, ensuring the validity and reliability of the findings. The
findings demonstrate that community policing strategies, such as regular patrols,
community meetings, and awareness campaigns, have reduced domestic violence
within the community, and the community members feel safe to report cases of
domestic violence. These strategies have been constrained by several challenges.
Such challenges include lack of resources, cultural resistance, inadequate training for
officers, lack of cooperation from community members, coordination problems
among stakeholders, resistance from traditional leaders, and lack of awareness
among young people. The study concludes that. Community policing is necessary for
reducing domestic violence but is constrained by limited resources and cultural
barriers. Increased funding for community policing initiatives, training of officers,
and community engagement through targeted outreach and intergenerational
dialogue are critical to addressing these challenges.. Enhancing community policing
effectiveness in Rorya District requires increased funding, specialized training,
community awareness initiatives, and collaboration among stakeholders to address
domestic violence effectively.
