From Despair to Repair - Foreword
From Despair to Repair...?
Foreword
More than many crimes and social problems the issue of domestic violence is riddled with misconceptions. What many of these have in common is that they seem to blame the victim and to excuse the abuse in some way. More and more research shows these ideas to be false.
Women have reported being attacked for a whole range of trivial reasons, for example, she didn't cook the dinner how he liked or he didn't approve of the clothes she wore. No one deserves being assaulted, humiliated or abused, least of all by someone who professes to love him or her.
Any individual has a right to live free from fear, intimidation and abuse, especially within his or her own home. The law makes no distinction between public and private space when an offence is being committed. If a woman seeks outside help, she is asking for an intervention, which stops her being assaulted in private.
For some women the decision to leave or get rid of an abuser is made quick and easy. For many others the decision-making process will be long and painful as they 'try to make the relationship work' and stop the violence.
With all the practical difficulties in finding a new home, means of survival, schools for the children, and leaving everything that is familiar, it's a miracle that women do manage to leave.
It is recognised that domestic violence can affect men as well as women and although the numbers are small, service providers need to be alert to the concerns of men who flee violence.
It is vital therefore that all victims receive the highest possible standards of service from any agency they approach for help. The Council is committed to providing high standards in services and I am sure that this research will assist all agencies in improving standards and ensuring the safety of victims and their children.
Councillor Margaret Oldham