Examine the pattern of, and reasons for, domestic violence in society.

The first 200 words of this essay...

Examine the pattern of, and reasons for, domestic violence in society. (24 marks)

The Women's Aid Federation defined the definition of domestic violence as "physical, psychological, sexual or financial violence that takes place within an intimate or family-type relationship and form a pattern of coercive and controlling behaviour. It may involve partners, ex-partners, household members, or other relatives". There is a common speculation that domestic violence is typically considered to be the behaviour of few disturbed and sick individuals. However, sociologists have criticised this speculation reasoning that domestic violence is far too widespread to be the work of individuals. According to the British Crime Survey, the occurrence of domestic violence accounts for at least sixth of all violent crime. The Catriona Mirrlees Black's survey indicated that there are 6.6 million incidences of domestic assaults a year, including physical injury.

However, it is reasoned that the occurrence domestic violence do not take place on random instances, but instead it follows certain social patterns, and these patterns have social problems. Interestingly, the most shocking pattern of these patterns is that is that is predominantly violence by men against women. For example. Kathryn Coleman (2007) established that women were particularly