How do different agencies respond to Domestic Violence?

GCSE Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)

Student Number: 12015014

Introduction

My portfolio is going to be based on the question: -

I intend to explore the issue domestic violence in depth as the family is perceived generally as a safe and happy environment, but behind closed doors is it really as good as it is perceived? For some yes but for others life can be far from safe and happy, in fact the complete opposite some live in fear. Those people living in fear need help to escape from the abuse they receive; this abuse is often referred to as domestic violence. I want to investigate the response different agencies/ groups/ people etc have on this issue and how they help those who are affected by such abuse.

Before I can start to research into domestic violence I need to know what it means so the first stage of my research will be to find definitions of domestic violence, to discover what domestic violence covers, for instance does it just refer to physical harm? Or are there other forms of harm that can be used? I then intend to identity how big a problem domestic violence is and find out who is more likely to suffer from this type of violence, for example are women more at risk than men? Or are those from different classes, ethic groups more likely to suffer? And if so, why are they more likely to suffer?

According to the British Crime Survey (see appendix 18) 22% of all violent incidents were committed in the home in a family-type situation. This is nearly a quarter of all violent crimes thus suggesting domestic violence is a key issue that needs addressing in society. I am going to collect statistics based on domestic violence to show the extent of the problem, this will then lead onto the responses there are to domestic violence, and how these groups/organisations etc help to prevent it from happening again and how they help the sufferer of such an offence get back on track with their life. The responses to domestic violence will include responses from the police, charity groups and the government. These responses will cover all aspects of domestic violence from what happens to those who are abused and those who are the abusers.

Once all of this information has been collected from a wide range of sources from magazines to journal articles I hope to be able to state what domestic violence is, and what there is available in society to help those suffering from this type of abuse, enabling them to stop living in fear and start a new happy and safe life. Thus hopefully identifying the responses to domestic violence.

(470 words)

Domestic violence- The facts

There are many different definitions explaining what domestic violence is. One definition is from the home office (see appendix 3). They believe domestic violence is “any form of physical sexual or emotional abuse which takes place within the context of a close relationship. In most cases, the relationship will be between partners (married, cohabiting, or otherwise) or ex-partners”. This definition is not too different from the definition from the women’s aid charity group they claim that “domestic violence can be seen as any form of physical, psychological or sexual violence that takes place within an intimate, or family type relationship” (See appendix 21). These two views see domestic violence as any form of harm whether it be verbal abuse or sexual abuse which occurs within a close-knit relationship, whereby the couple are in a relationship or have been at some time.

The polices definition is slightly different whereby “domestic violence means the occurrence of one or more of the following criminal offences upon a person protected under the prevention of Domestic Violence Act 1990; Homicide, Assault, Terroristic threats, Kidnapping, Criminal restraint, False imprisonment, Sexual assault, Criminal sexual contact, Lewdness, Criminal mischief, Burglary, Criminal trespass, Harassment and stalking”. It also adds that it takes place in a household or by a person who has or is in a relationship with another person. (www.state.nj.us) . This definition very much focuses on the physical side of the abuse and they tend to categories the type of abuse, and it tends to neglect things like emotional harm caused by a partner.

Women’s definition of domestic violence are much more in-depth, radical feminists argue that professional and legal definitions neglect women’s feeling and mental abuse, they believe that the threats women receive from men are just as harmful as being abused as the women are constantly in fear. This definition suggests that all forms of abuse are domestic violence and women are faced with it every day by the ways in which men control women with where they can go who they can go with etc. (Richardson and Robinson, 1993: 103-4).

Domestic violence is not a new problem. Throughout history, ...

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Domestic violence is not a new problem. Throughout history, and across divisions of class, race and culture it has always been a feature of family like. 100 years ago it was legal for a man to beat his wife provided he used a stick no thicker than his thumb, even up to 25 years ago 'wife battering' was still very much a private matter, it was hidden and largely an ignored problem (see appendix 21).

The main victims of domestic violence are women with 1 in 4 women suffering from domestic violence in their lifeline and also 2 women a week are killed by a current or former partner. Men are therefore generally the perpetrators of domestic violence (see appendix 24).

Police response to domestic violence

As a 24-hour emergency and public service, and the ‘gateway’ of criminal justice the police very often can be the first professionals to intervene in a case of domestic violence. Many incidents of Domestic violence go unreported to the police (Dobash and Dobash, 1979: 164) so when the police do eventually get called out domestic violence has been going on frequently for some time. The police therefore bear considerable responsibility for the transition of domestic violence from a ‘private’ matter to a legal response. Domestic violence is unlikely to cease and is more likely to escalate without intervention, therefore the way in which police deal with domestic violence has a substantial effect on the continuation of domestic violence. (Hilton, 1989: 318-320).

For some years the police have been under attack for failing to arrest perpetrators of domestic violence and initiate a criminal justice response. In the last decade, however, policing philosophy has increasingly recognised the role of policing as a social service (Clairmont, 1991: 472).

Once a victim of domestic violence has contacted the police, the problem emerges form a private issue to a public one. The police have guidelines about how to respond to domestic violence cases. They make sure the abuser and the victim are separated immediately and the victim will them be given time to explain the situation. Police officers are advised to give the victim advice on help she/he may need such as arranging medical aid, transport and a safe place for the victim to go to (see appendix 28). The police take a statement from the victim, and from this the police should (hopefully) charge the abuser.

Research done by Saunders and Size (1986:25-42) suggests that those who abuse are very unlikely to be hared or arrested. They found in their study that very few police officers believed that arrest is the best option in cases of domestic violence. A partial explanation for this reluctance to arrest those who were abusers may well be due to the fact that police officers do not see the offender as wholly to blame for the offence. Though if police do find those guilty of abusing their partner they can be sent to jail or at least those who are abused can get restraining orders which restricts the abusers from seeing or going near the person who has been abused. This allows the victim of domestic violence freedom from her attacker to start a new life with protection from the police, if the abuser breaks his restriction it can result in him/her being sent to prison (see appendix 12).

Charities response to domestic violence

Women’s Aid is perhaps the most dominate charity group, which helps women who have suffered from domestic violence. Women’s aid has been running for over 30 years their work involves campaigning and developing new responses to domestic violence. The charity offers support and a place of safety for abused women and children by providing refuge and other services. It also raises awareness to emphasis the impact of domestic violence in society and promotes policies and practices to prevent domestic violence. A staggering 54,000 women and children stay in the refuges provided and in 2001 over 64,000 individuals called the women’s help-line for help and support.

Women’s Aid policy is basically they will continue running their charity until every woman and every child is safe. They work closely with the police a response I have already looked into. The charity has made a significant contribution to various ACPO (Association of Chief Police officers) initiatives that aim to better protect victims and hold perpetrators to account. This close working relationship provides more safety for those victims who are seeking for help (see appendix 24).

This charity has targets for 2003, one of which is a national government funded help-line, which will be available 24hours a day (see appendix 14). This will therefore allow women to get and seek help from Women’s Aid at any time and this will help those women who do want to get the police involved but do want to get away from their abuser.

Two women a week are killed by a current partner (see appendix 24). This is on of many reasons why Women’s Aid is a needed charity. Women’s Aid not only works in partnership with the police but also the government social services, those who work in the health care profession and other voluntary organisations. These organisations all working alongside one anther offers a variety of services including a safe place for those who have been abused and their children, it emopowers women affected by domestic violence to determine their own lives, and helps aware others in society about the impact of domestic violence.

Housing those who have been affected by domestic violence is probably one of the key and vital aspect of helping someone who is suffering from abuse as once they are moved away the abuse is a lot more likely to discontinue. Women’s Aid offers all those women who feel unsafe and threaten temporary accommodation which is available whilst those who have been abused decide upon what is best for their future they may result in going back home or they can then seek for help from the council to be re-homed, Women’s Aid does not leave the victim to decide upon housing by herself they will offer support and they will provide temporary accommodation until the woman is happy and satisfied that she will no longer be at harm. (see appendix 23).

The governments response to domestic violence

The government is committed to tackling domestic violence. It wants to promote ‘equality and opportunity for women’ (see appendix 3). They believe that women experiencing violence are entitled to decent and swift protection and a legal system, which supports them properly. The overall goal for the government is to stop domestic violence once and for all.

The government has allowed £6million pounds for projects to reduce crime against women, also a proposal for a new 24-hour help-line for women which has already taken place (see appendix 14), it has also allowed £6.3million for victim support to assist victims through the legal process. The government’s strategy for tackling domestic violence is based on three key elements. These three key elements are the main policies created by the government.

The first key issue is that known as ‘prevention’ this is based on working to prevent it happening in the first place, and working with victims and offenders to prevent it reoccurring. One way in which the government are tackling this issue is to change young peoples attitudes based on the issue domestic violence. According to Burton (1998) 1 in 5 men and 1 in 10 women believe violence towards a partner is acceptable, this view must be changed in order for society to stop domestic violence. The government has introduced P.H.S.E. (Personal, social and health education). These are lessons in school to make young adults and children aware of issues in society and make them see that it is not acceptable. Prisons are also required to take similar action to teach those how to behave and let them know what is not acceptable.(see appendix 2).

The second main focus for the government is protection and justice this is based on increasing legal protection for victims and their families. Over the last couple of years the main changes there have been concentrating on ensuring an effective police response when victims report domestic violence. In the past victims have felt the police did not take domestic violence seriously, it is a ‘hidden’ crime and hard to see the true effect of the abuse. The police have been trying to resolve this issue and address domestic violence as seriously as any other violent crime. In 2002 the Central Police Training and Development Authority (Centrex) published a six part training pack on domestic violence. Most police forces now have either a specialist domestic violence units or special domestic violence co-ordinators. This now allows those who are suffering a fair and equal response from the police with the police identifying the seriousness of the offence. (See appendix 1).

The third and final aspect is support; this is the support for victims to rebuild their lives. The government over the past few years has made a keen focus on accommodation. Accommodation is so important as it gives those who have been abused a safe and secure place to be. The government has funded a lot into housing and most of the refuges provide a core set of support services to their residents and a certain service to ex-residents. This means that whilst in the accommodation the women are receiving the help to prevent domestic violence ever occur again.

The government also does a lot more than mentioned it provides for all aspects of domestic violence it does promotions, data collection and is constantly improving the help that is already available. The governments response is some what similar to that of the women’s aid in a way in which they both campaign to highlight the true extent of domestic violence in society today, and like the police it helps to provide protection to those who have suffered from domestic violence. The government’s response involves and is the making of the response to domestic violence without their policies domestic violence would be ‘closed’ crime and still be accepted in society today.

(2194 words)

Evaluation

My portfolio has made me realise that domestic violence really is a big issue in society; I believe it is very much neglected as a crime but I believe it to be a vicious crime and therefore people should be punished for abusing someone they supposedly care for. I have neglected and presumed a lot in this portfolio, I have focused my project on the harm women receive and not mentioned men and other types of relationships such as gays and lesbians. This is something I would have furthered if I had the time and the opportunity to expand my portfolio.

I have learnt plenty whilst researching into domestic violence and was unaware as to how much information there is actually on the subject. Whilst working on the project I have become aware of how little I know about domestic violence and the extent of it, which is occurring in society. According to the BCS domestic violence made up 22% (see appendix 18) of all violent crimes this is already a staggering figure but most of domestic violence cases go unreported, thus the extent of domestic violence is much greater and needs to be addressed. All of the responses help the women who have been abused but why is it that it is still seen to some as acceptable? Domestic violence is not acceptable under any circumstances and I believe that it is still very much seen as accepted by many people in society. This view must be altered by the government cracking down on domestic violence and trying to prevent it as well as protecting those who suffer, it is prevented there would be no need to protect anyone.

My portfolio has been separated into sections on different responses I feel this is the best way to do it as it gives a clear view of what each response feels if I had written about each response all together I believe it would have got muddled and lost its focus. The way I have processed the project has enabled me to answer my set question. My portfolio identifies that the family is not always safe and that in some cases the family can be the most harmful aspect of their lives, and I have identified the key responses to domestic violence.

(321 words)

Bibliography

Burton, M. et al (1998) Young peoples attitudes towards violence, sex and relationships. Edinburgh: Zero Tolerance Charitable Trust.

Clairmont, D. (1991). Community- based policing: Implementation and impact. Journal of Criminology, 3, 469-484.

Dobash, R. E., & Dobash, R. (1979). Violence against wives: A case against the patriarchy. New York: Macmillan.

Hilton, N. Z. (1993) legal response to wife assault. United Kingdom: SAGE Publications, Inc.

Hilton, N. Z. (1989) One in ten: The struggle and disempowerment of the baterred women’s movement. Journal of family law, 7, 313-335).

Richardson, D. & Robinson, V. (1993) Introducing Women’s Studies, London: The MacMillan Press Ltd.

Saunders, D. G. & Size, P. B. (1986). Attitudes about women abuse among police officers, victims and victim advocates. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 1, 25-42.