The 'Discourse of Separation'

Question 1

The CJS separates:

Answer 1

Victims of abuse (e.g. partner abuse, child abuse)

Type of abuse (e.g. physical assault, sexual assault, threats)

Acts of abuse (from a ‘course of conduct’)

Question 2

DA and child abuse often occur together. REMEMBER the ‘act-based’ national definition of DA:
incident/pattern of incidents of…

Answer 2

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

Question 3

Also need to consider how the system works - hasn’t historically accommodated CC due to 2 factors:

Answer 3

• Lack of understanding of how CC makes the victim minimise and internalise (trying to get officers to ask Qs beyond ‘what has happened’
• No evidence and not prepared to disclose then not much can be done