Domestic Violence Flashcards
What is the definition for Domestic Violence?
Any incident of threatening behaviour, violence or abuse (psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional) between adults, aged 18 or over, who are or have been intimate partners or family members, regardless of gender and sexuality.
(NPIA, 2008)
Any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are or have been intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality.
This can encompass but is not limited to the following :
Psychological – physical – sexual – financial - emotional
What is controlling behaviour?
a range of acts designed to make a person subordinate and/or dependent by isolating them from sources of support, exploiting their resources and capacities for personal gain, depriving them of the means needed for independence, resistance and escape and regulating their everyday behaviour.
What is coercive behaviour?
an act or a pattern of acts of assault, threats, humiliation and intimidation or other abuse that is used to harm, punish, or frighten their victim.
What are the behavioural features of DV?
Physical assault Threats and intimidation Sexual abuse Restriction of money/access to resources Usually a combination
What are the experiential features of DV?
Fear
Psychological vulnerability
Shame
What are the conceptual features of DV?
Enduring condition
Process of control and entrapment
What did the Council of Europe state?
DV is the major cause of death and disability for women aged 16-44
More than cancer or traffic accidents!
What % of female murder victims are killed by their partners?
70% (World Health Organisation)
What is the UK prevalence for DV?
Domestic violence accounts for a nearly quarter of all recorded violent crime.
But BCS showed only 13% of victims told police
One incident of domestic violence is reported to the police every minute.
How many women experienced DV in their lifetime according to BCS?
1 in 4 (and 1 in 9 men)
What are victim characteristics?
Gender Being male (for violence generally), being female (for violence from known perpetrators)
Age
Highest rates amongst 16-19, then 20-24
Marital status
Highest rates amongst ‘separated’ and ‘divorced’
This matters for women only
With children
Social class indicators Unemployed women, ‘never worked and long-term unemployed’, low household income, social renters, blue collar communities, high levels of physical disorder
What are offender characteristics?
Male
- Young
- Lower socio-economic status
What are individual level explanations for DV
Pathology of perpetrators
Alcohol/drug abuse
Family dysfunction
What are socio-cultural explanations for DV?
Patriarchy
Political, economic and social processes that keep men in a position of power
Women are, on average, more politically and economically disadvantaged compared to men
VAW can be used by men to reinforce their position of power
Cultural ideology
Culture defines gender roles
Customs, traditions and religious values can be used to justify VAW
Control over women is maintained in many societies through strategies and discourses involving notions of romantic love, duty, ‘honour’ and shame.
What are multiple agency initiatives?
Specialist Domestic Violence Courts (SDVCs)
Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conferences (MARACs)
