Bleak picture of domestic violence.
February 11, 2013 at 2:49 pm | Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a commentThis week, the Metro newspaper reported some shocking domestic abuse statistics that we have to keep in mind at i-docServe Ltd. Many of the court orders that we process are ‘non-molestation orders’, which aim to stop perpetrators from domestic violence contacting their victims. Whilst we process approximately 4,000 orders a year we must always consider that domestic abuse is a much bigger problem, something that this report shows.
Last year alone, two million people suffered domestic abuse at the hands of their partner. Roughly 1.2 million of the victims were women, and 800,000 were men. The report stems from the last year’s British Crime Survey and includes reports of physical, emotional and sexual attacks.
Along with the prevalence of domestic abuse, the survey showed that females aged between 16 and 24 were more likely to become victims of such crimes as abuse, stalking and sexual assault.
Picture courtesy of Metro.
The legacy of domestic violence.
January 21, 2013 at 4:19 pm | Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a commentMany of the orders that we process at i-docServe involve families with children. Whilst there is a lot of information out there regarding the effects of domestic abuse upon the victims themselves, it is also important to realise that domestic violence in the home has a serious impact on children. Children can become witness to domestic violence in a number of ways, whether it is by being in the same room and therefore getting caught up in an incident or by hearing the incidents of violence from another room. They might also see the physical injuries that are left after an incident of domestic abuse.
Department of Health statistics show that at least 750,000 children a year bear witness to domestic violence and in some cases, become victims of the same perpetrator themselves. Women’s Aid note that children are completely dependent on the adults around them and therefore can be impacted negatively in both physical and emotional ways if they are brought up around domestic violence. Women’s Aid rightly says that all children witnessing domestic violence are being emotionally abused themselves, which has been highlighted in recent legislation.
While we know that children will react in different ways to being brought up in a home in which domestic violence occurs, we do know that most children will be affected in some way by the distressing incidents. They may feel that they are to blame, along with emotions of anger, guilt, insecurity, confusion and loneliness. They may have confusing feelings towards both the abuse and the non-abusing parent. Famous actor Patrick Stewart wrote in The Guardian in 2009, describing his feelings towards his domestically violent father:
“As a child I witnessed his repeated violence against my mother, and the terror and misery he caused was such that, if I felt I could have succeeded, I would have killed him. If my mother had attempted it, I would have held him down. For those who struggle to comprehend these feelings in a child, imagine living in an environment of emotional unpredictability, danger and humiliation week after week, year after year, from the age of seven. My childish instinct was to protect my mother, but the man hurting her was my father, whom I respected, admired and feared”.
There is a huge range of support available for those in domestically violent relationships that involve children. The Women’s Aid website has a list of charities and organisations ready to help, and more information about what to do if your child is being affected by domestic
UK firearms under debate: partners to get a say in licenses?
January 17, 2013 at 11:27 am | Posted in Domestic Violence, Firearms, Gun law | Leave a commentDomestic violence has come under specific attention in the news today, as Theresa May has suggested that those applying for gun licenses should be asked to prove that their current or recent partners have consented to the application. The home secretary noted that it is inappropriate for those with a history of domestic violence to own guns and the check may reduce the risk to victims.
These comments were presented in a letter written to MPs, which was sent soon after the recent Newtown massacre but not published until Wednesday. Whilst the tragic event has re-opened fierce debate on US gun controls, Mrs May said that the government is working together with the Association of Chief Police Officers about how to strengthen guidance on how domestic violence should be treated in regards to police considering firearms applications.
She acknowledged that whilst each case will be considered separately, the guidance will make it clear that it is not appropriate to issue a firearm certificate to anyone with a history or successive reports of domestic abuse.
This practice is something which is already seen in Canada, where spouses or recent ex-spouses are asked to sign gun license application forms. If they decline to do so, there will be additional checks.
However, some early reactions have been that involving partners and recent ex-partners in the application process may put them at risk of renewed abuse, or in a further position of vulnerability. It must also be considered that the partner may sign the form to ensure their safety at that moment, without a thought for their future safety. Furthermore, a decision to refuse to sign the form may bring about further violence.
Could this process work in protecting victims of domestic abuse from firearms?
Study shows elderly domestic abuse is a big issue.
January 17, 2013 at 11:07 am | Posted in Domestic Violence, Elderly people, Law | Leave a commentAt i-docServe, we process orders for people from all walks of life and that includes all age ranges. However, domestic violence against elderly victims is something that is perhaps less acknowledged than that against younger generations. This is something that authorities in Somerset are aiming to change, with particular focus upon increasing the visibility of domestic abuse in the over 50s.
This report from the BBC describes personal cases which show that older victims are possibly more likely to tolerate domestic abuse because they have been conditioned to do so. The charity North Somerset Against Domestic Violence have released the statistic that at least one case of domestic abuse in the over 50s is seen a week. This rather shocking data has prompted further charities, such as Chapter One, to look into whether the services offered are fit to this purpose.
The study carried out by Chapter One showed that older people are particularly less likely to report violence, as domestic abuse has not been viewed as a crime for very long. One victim stated that “my age group has no financial independence and they’ve invested time and had a family – they’ve got to walk away from everything and that’s what traps them”. The study further discussed the possible reasons for domestic abuse at an older age, with the mental and physical changes associated with aging itself presenting as factors which put pressure on relationships.
In Somerset, those elderly victims that need to leave the family home are being offered self-contained ground-floor flats, as it is acknowledged that they need their own space. Members of staff check in on them regularly and offer help.
Is domestic abuse in the elderly something that authorities throughout the country should look into?
Police tackle domestic violence over Christmas
December 11, 2012 at 4:01 pm | Posted in Children, Christmas, Domestic Violence, Law, Young People | 2 CommentsTags: children, christmas, domestic violence, festive, law
As the festive season approaches, police across the country are launching campaigns aimed towards tackling domestic violence. In previous years it has become clear that domestic abuse is a significant problem over Christmas, with violent incidents in the home rising by approximately 20% at this time of year according to Hampshire Constabulary.
Agencies give prolonged family time, increased debt and high levels of alcohol consumption as possible reasons for such a high increase. Charities such as ‘Refuge’ acknowledge that Christmas can be a particularly difficult time of year for those experiencing domestic violence. The many campaigns being launched over the festive period aim to raise awareness about domestic violence, aswell as encouraging victims to seek help.
Cllr Greenall, in this article for West Lancashire Police, said “Christmas can be particularly stressful for people living with violent partners because the family are together for an extended period, or the alcohol is flowing, which can intensify abuse. Often they will not leave over the festive season because they don’t want to ruin Christmas. As a result, the New Year is always a busy time as victims seek help. Therefore, we want our campaign to raise awareness and show victims that there is support out there if they need it”.
There has also been a significant focus upon the effects of domestic violence on children throughout these Christmas campaigns. An example of this is the ‘Letter to Santa’ campaign developed by the Violence Reduction Unit and the Children 1st charity. Chief Inspector Graham Goulden, who heads the campaign, acknowledged that Christmas is a peak period for domestic abuse incidents. This means that children in violent homes often witness abuse or become victims themselves. Children should look forward to Christmas every year but it is easy to forget that for some children, it is a time of fear.
New laws designed to protect victims of stalking
November 27, 2012 at 2:04 pm | Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment
An inquiry earlier this year found that there are approximately 120,000 victims of stalking each year, most of whom are women. However, only 53,000 incidents are recorded as crimes by the police and only 1 in 50 of those leads to an offender being jailed. The inquiry, aswell as a series of cases involving stalkers who went on to kill, led to calls for reform.
In answer to this, the government has put new laws designed to give protection to victims of stalking into force this week, with the introduction of two exact criminal offences of stalking. The new offences sit alongside the existing Harassment Act of 1997, but are specifically aimed toward highlighting the serious impact that stalking can have on the lives of victims. Victims and Equalities Minister Helen Grant stated that the laws will ensure that victims are better protected, aswell as offenders brought to justice.
Alongside the introduction of new laws, there has been a £150,000 fund set up for domestic homicide reviews to help local areas prevent future tragedies. An additional £50,000 funding has been pledged to support frontline agencies tackling the issue of domestic violence.
Alexis Bowater, a former victim of a stalking campaign, says part of the problem is that stalkers are too often seen as rejected suitors rather than criminals. She claims that we are socialised by romantic films to “think that the guy will always get the girl, but stalking is not a romcom gone wrong – it is serious and pathological”.
The Home Office Minister Jeremy Browne said that the new legislation is aimed towards highlighting the seriousness of stalking as an offence, aswell as raising awareness and bringing justice to victims.
More than 30% of domestic violence victims are male.
October 2, 2012 at 2:26 pm | Posted in Domestic Violence, Men | 1 CommentTags: crime, domestic violence, family, male
Many of the orders we receive in relation to domestic abuse are instigated by a female victim. It is, however, very important to note that it is not only women who become victims of abuse. Research shows that roughly 30% of domestic violence involves a man being abused by a woman. In fact, one in six men will become a victim of domestic abuse in their lifetime but evidence suggests that the issue far more widespread than the figures show.
Since domestic violence became more of an issue in the late 60s and early 70s, government policy and funding has tended to focus predominantly on women as the victims. This is still largely the case, although many studies show that there is a substantial level of male victimisation. The polarisation of has resulted in a lack of resources for the needs of male victims, but this has started to become addressed recently. Unfortunately though there is still quite a lack of support services and information about those services that do exist for male victims of domestic abuse.
Although the experiences of male and female victims are extremely similar, male victims have been seen to have a greater reluctance to report what is happening for fear of disbelief or ridicule. Aswell as this, there is a highlighted risk of isolation as nearly half of male victims who reported abuse against them were then excluded from the family home and many lost meaningful or any contact with their children who usually remained with the violent mother.
An example of the extent to which male victims will refuse to seek help can be seen in such stories as that of Ian McNicholl, which can be read here.
At i-docServe Ltd we believe that domestic violence is unacceptable and should not be tolerated regardless of whether the victim is male or female.
What is domestic violence?
October 2, 2012 at 10:51 am | Posted in Domestic Violence | Leave a commentTags: crime, domestic violence, family
At i-docServe Ltd, we process a large number of domestic violence based court orders, such as Non-Molestation and Prohibited Steps orders to prevent communication between the perpetrators and victims of abuse. Because of this it is really important that we are fully aware of what domestic abuse entails and how it affects society as a whole, in order to highlight the importance and urgency of each and every case.
Though domestic abuse comprises a number of different behaviours, there is no single crime entitled “domestic violence”. Many of the behaviours are criminal offences, however, and these have increased following the recent change in the definition of domestic abuse. This can include harassment, assault, criminal damage, sexual assault or false imprisonment amongst other actions. Successful prosecutions for domestic violence cases are at their highest, rising to 91,000 cases a year. The conviction rate now stands at 73% compared to 69% in 2007-08. Unfortunately though, not all forms of domestic abuse are illegal, particularly emotional abuse. Nevertheless this can have just as much of an impact upon a person’s well-being.
Aswell as greatly affecting individuals, domestic violence also costs society £23 billion per year. This is comprised of a £3.1 billion cost to the state, a £1.3 billion cost to employers and a £17 billion human suffering cost. These statistics are however recognised as an under-estimate, as public services do not collect information on the cost of their services as a direct result of domestic violence.
Though it is a much hidden crime, domestic violence is very common. Research has shown that it can affect as many as one in four women in their lifetimes and roughly 30% of domestic violence cases involve male victims. Domestic violence accounts for between 16% and one quarter of all recorded violent crime.
In any one year, there are 13 million separate incidents of physical violence or threats of violence against woman alone from partners or former partners. This shows just how prevalent a crime domestic abuse, considering that so much of it is still hidden and unreported.
All statistics in this post have been found at the following website.
Definition of domestic abuse widened to include coercive control and under 18s
September 21, 2012 at 3:29 pm | Posted in Domestic Violence, Young People | 1 Comment
Home Secretary Theresa May has announced a shake-up of the definition of domestic abuse. Under the change, domestic abuse will now be widened in order to include a range of coercive and threatening behaviours. This will see people who bully their partners with verbal abuse, control of their finances or isolation from their loved ones being prosecuted alongside those who commit physical violence.
Under the new definition, victims of domestic abuse aged 16 and 17 will also be recognised for the first time. This change in the view of domestic abuse aims to increase awareness that young people do experience domestic violence. This follows on from the Teenage Relationship Abuse campaign, which we blogged about here.
The new definition of domestic violence and abuse now states:
“Any incident or patterns 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 types of abuse – psychological, physical, sexual, financial, and emotional.”
This means that acts such as preventing partners from leaving the house, or demanding control of their finances, can now lead to prosecution. These changes, which will be implemented in March 2013, follow calls from local authorities, police and voluntary organisations.
However, it is important to note that domestic violence is still not a specific criminal offence. This will not change, but the new definition may avoid agencies making too narrow an interpretation of domestic abuse and letting some perpetrators go. One victim who spoke to the BBC anonymously said that had the new guidelines been in force while she was suffering, she may have sought help earlier, stating that “if I was more aware that I was suffering the psychological abuse and emotional abuse, I may have been more able to see what was going on and get the help I needed for me and the children much sooner”.
Whilst many think that these amendments are fundamental in helping to raise awareness and enable effective prevention,some lawyers and campaigners have questioned how effective these changes will be in bringing more cases to court. This is due to the fact that because domestic violence is not an offence in itself, the government are expecting the police to prosecute under the protection from harassment act which is already very much underused.
Corrie’s domestic abuse storyline
September 3, 2012 at 1:55 pm | Posted in Domestic Violence | Leave a commentTags: media, television
Coronation Street is no stranger to controversial plots and Alan Halsall, who plays Tyrone Dobbs, has taken his recent storyline very seriously. In episodes aired over the spring and summer, Tyrone is assaulted and mentally abused by his girlfriend Kirsty.
Alan has played Tyrone Dobbs for fourteen years, with many storylines easy to relate to his own life. However, with this plot Halsall is at a loss and has done extensive research into the field to make up for it. The actor has taken advice from male domestic violence charities such as Mankind, aswell as meeting a male victim of domestic violence. Speaking of his feelings about the role, he said “when you get these stories to portray, you try to reference it to your own life in some way but there was nothing in this, nothing in my life whatsoever that I could hang it on to”.
Halsall said in an interview that meeting a victim of severe domestic abuse and hearing his story opened his eyes to how someone in such a situation might be feeling at different times. This has led to Halsall portraying Tyrone as reasonable as he usually is in the show, trying to understand why his partner is lashing out and blaming everything from her family circumstances to her pregnancy.
Admitting how the storyline has affected him, Halsall said “even in my wildest imagination, even having spoken to someone, it’s impossible to imagine myself in that position and to be honest, I don’t want to”.
Halsall’s biggest aim, he says, is to do the issue justice throughout the storyline and raise awareness. Male domestic violence is still seen as stigmatic with a certain taboo surrounding it. People are still shocked when those we see as immune to such issues are proven to be victims of abuse. However, one in six men will be a victim of domestic violence in their lifetime.
To find out more information, visit Mankind’s website.
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