Lecture 11 Domestic Abuse

Question 1

Definition of Domestic Abuse?

Answer 1

“Any incident or pattern of incidents of
controlling, coercive, 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.
The abuse can encompass, but is not limited to psychological, physical, sexual, financial, emotional.”

Question 2

What are the 5 forms of abuse?

Answer 2

The 5 Forms of Abuse

1. Physical
2. Sexual
3. Financial
4. Psychological
5. Emotional

Question 3

What is Coercive Control?

Answer 3

Coercive control is 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

• Violence
• Intimidation
• Isolation
• Control
• Sexual Degradation

Question 4

What are The 7 stages of Coercive Control?

Answer 4

1. GROOMING
   • Victim is being charmed but isolated
   • Existing vulnerabilities in Victim are identified and exploited by Perpetrator
2. MANAGE THE SITUATION
   • Victim adapts their own behaviour
   • Police should try and get the victim to see that they are changing their behaviour to suit the abuser which is not healthy
3. DISTORTION OF PERSPECTIVE/REALITY
   • Victim blames themselves for the abuse
   • Victim’s levels of anxiety increase
   • Officers should challenge the distortions
4. DEFINING THE ABUSE
   • Victim recognises that the behaviour IS abusive
   • Can be mortifying or empowering
5. RE-EVALUATION OF THE RELATIONSHIP
   • Victim sees support as realistic
   • Victim may become numb/flat

[Danger of returning to grooming/ escalation of violence and control]

6. ENDING THE RELATIONSHIP
   • Victim makes attempts to leave
   • Risk escalates (77% Murders occur in 1st year of separation)
7. ENDING THE ABUSE
   • Recovery can begin

Question 5

What to include in statements for Domestic Abuse?

Answer 5

Include – 
•	Statement 
•	History of abusive relationship 
•	Effects on children
•	Time and dates
•	Location
•	Detailed Injuries – Physical and mental
•	Thoughts and feelings
•	How it has effected them
•	If the victim is too scared to attend court as they are scared of the suspect – Put this in their statement as could be accepted as hearsay evidence

If going for coercive control must detail how the victim feared, on a least two occasion’s, that violence would be used against them OR the perpetrator’s behaviour causes the victim serious alarm or distress, which has a substantial adverse effect on their usual day-to-day life.
State why they retracted last time – For example, suspect or their family contacted them and begged them. They were scared because window got put through etc…

ALWAYS OBTAIN A VICTIM STATEMENT ON FIRST CONTACT!
Obtain statement even if victim has been drinking as retractions are common the following morning

FOR RETRACTIONS STATEMENTS – speak to IDAS as they will also speak to the victim and will then be able to assist with the background report.

Question 6

What is the RARA model?

Answer 6

R- Remove the rick
A- Avoid the Risk
R- Reduce the risk
A- Accept the risk

Question 7

What is Domestic Violence Protection Order?

Answer 7

To provide short-term protection to a person from violence or molestation in the immediate aftermath of a domestic violence incident.