Domestic violence + child abuse

Question 1

what is domestic violence?

Answer 1

psychological, physical, sexual, financial and emotional violence or abuse

common view: the behaviour of a few ‘sick’ individuals: sociologists challenge this view

Question 2

(-) domestic violence is too wide spread to be ‘a few sick individuals’

Answer 2

• between 1/6 and 1/4 of all recorded violent crime

Question 3

(-) domestic violence doesn’t occur randomly

Answer 3

follows patterns

• one pattern- most commonly men violent against women (although men can be victims too)
• 2 women a week killed by partner / ex

Question 4

radical feminism = violence against women within the family is a form of power and control - controls women and keeps men in power

Answer 4

• dobash + dobash - violence crime against wives by husbands isn’t usually recorded by police
• conviction rate is low in comparison to other forms of assault
• until 1991 men were entitled to have sex with wives against her will - rape law has since changed
• women are made to feel ‘shame’, aka blame themselves e.g ‘i shouldn’t have got involved with a violent man’

Question 5

why have many women returned to their partners?

Answer 5

• fear of stigmatisation
• financial dependency on men
• manipulation

Question 6

Why is this radical feminist idea criticised?

Answer 6

(-) overemphasises the power of men - typically ignores that men can be victims too and ignores the choice women have over their relationships these days

Question 7

Child abuse can be a form of power in families (the responsibilities and trust are manipulated) - what social policies are in place to protect children ?

Answer 7

• children act: state/social workers can intervene if concerned