Domestic Violence

Question 1

Why wasn’t domestic violence a crime before 1976? (4 points)

Answer 1

People believed the law shouldn’t apply to private life.
Women were too scared to speak out.
It was associated with alcohol and the working class.
Laws were made and enforced by men.

Question 2

Why did domestic violence become a crime? (4 points)

Answer 2

Campaign groups - raised awareness, put pressure on government, protests and marches.
Change in attitudes - more acceptable for the state to be involved in private life if it’s to help people.
Female political power - women gained vote 1928, women politicians, gov needed to win women’s votes (Jack Ashley, first MP to raise in Parliament).
The media - published incidents of it and work of campagn groups.