The legacy of domestic violence.

January 21, 2013 at 4:19 pm | Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Many 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 comment

Domestic 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 comment

At 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? 

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