couples - domestic violence

What is the definition of domestic violence

Any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 and over who are or have been intimate partners or family members

Statistics of wide spread concern for DV

1 out of 4 women & 1 out of 7 men will experience DV at some point in their life

What are common trends

Mainly violence against women

Coleman found that 2 women a week are killed by a partner or ex

What is the radical feminist explanation & sociologist

Firestone

All societies have been founded on patriarchy & within the family men dominate women through DV or threat of it to preserve the power men have over women

Link to Firestone

Dobash

Marriage confers power to the husband which is used to attack

Criticisms of Firestone

Not all men are aggressive, they are also subjected to DV

Fails to explain female violence

Wrongly assume all women are equally at risk (tends to be women who are younger, working class, living in deprived areas)

What is the materialistic explanation & sociologists

Wilkinson & Pickett

DV is a result of stress on family members caused by material inequality

Those with less power, status, wealth are at greater risk of DV

What is the dark figure of crime

Crime that is not reported to the police & remains unknown to officials

Only 6% of abusers convicted