From Despair to Repair...?

Background

Domestic Violence - A Background

Much has recently been written regarding the scale of domestic violence. The latest figures following the nation-wide census day in September 2000 show that in the UK:-

• an incident of domestic violence occurs every 6 seconds
• 1300 calls per day are made to the Police for domestic violence, an average of 570,000 per year
• 45% of murders of women result from domestic violence
• a woman is killed every 6 days
• Abused women are eight times more likely to commit suicide
• in 90% of all domestic violence incidents involving families, a child/children are present or in the next room
• 33% of all children present at domestic violence incidents are injured trying to protect their mothers
• 25% of women experiencing domestic violence are assaulted for the first time whilst pregnant

It is well documented that one in four women will experience domestic violence during their lifetime. In households where domestic violence is taking place, there is a 75% possibility that children will also suffer from the abuse. It is also an important but neglected fact that there are cases where males have been victims of domestic violence as well. Domestic Violence is an issue for families and has far reaching consequences on others in the family unit and it is often forgotten that affects can be felt on others in the household e.g. the children.

Legal Background

Consultation with the community is an important aspect of policing. The Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (as amended by s96 of the Police Act 1996) places a legal responsibility on police authorities to consult on policing matters. The introduction of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 has superseded this legislation, requiring the police authority to work in partnership in delivering policing services. The police authority also has a statutory obligation under Best Value to improve policing services through consultation with service users. In addition, Section 17 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 places a duty on other authorities to exercise its various functions with due regard to the likely effect of the exercise of those functions on, and the need to do all that it reasonably can to prevent crime and disorder in its area. This duty is placed on both local authorities and police authorities but through working in partnership with other agencies it is felt that all agencies should be working towards section 17.

Consultation therefore makes an important contribution to affecting the quality of services provided by agencies and in shaping services to meet people's requirements. Victims of any crime usually have contact with the police (if the crime is reported). When a victim of domestic violence leaves a relationship they are in effect starting their life again and need assistance not from just one agency such as the police but from other agencies such as housing, refuge, benefits agency, schools etc. Due to the nature of domestic violence being a victim has far reaching consequences on their life.

• Violence is horrible
• It makes you look really bad
• On your bike and get away
• Leave!
• End it please
• Now!
• Coughing because you're sore
• End being sore!

Acknowledgments | Introduction