Domestic Violence

Domestic violence

Any incident or pattern 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.

Controlling behaviour

Acts designed to make a person subordinate and/or dependent by isolating them from support, exploiting their resources for personal gain, and regulating their everyday behaviour.

Coercive behaviour

Acts of assault, threats, humiliation, and intimidation used to harm, punish, or frighten a victim.

Women's Aid Federation (2014) statistic

Domestic violence makes up 1/6 to ¼ of all recorded violent crime.

Crime Survey for England and Wales (2013) statistic

2 million people reported being victims of domestic violence in 2012.

Power dynamics in marriage as per Dobash and Dobash

Marriage legitimates violence against women by conferring power and authority on husbands and dependency on wives.

Statistics on domestic violence (2019)

7.3% of women (1.6 million) and 3.6% of men (750,000) experienced domestic violence.

Radical feminist explanation of domestic violence

Argues that patriarchy is the root cause of domestic violence, as men dominate women through the threat of violence.

Criticism of radical feminism by Robertson Elliot (1996)

Not all men are aggressive and many oppose domestic violence, challenging the radical feminist notion that all men benefit from it.

Materialist explanation of domestic violence

Economic and materialist factors such as inequalities in income and housing contribute to the risk of domestic violence.

Wilkinson & Pickett (2010) view on domestic violence

Domestic violence is a result of stress due to social inequality, which affects family relations and increases the risk of conflict.

Marxist feminism perspective on domestic violence

Views domestic violence as a product of capitalism where men, exploited at work, transfer their frustrations to their wives.

Yearnshire (1997) statistic

On average, a woman suffers 35 assaults before making a report of domestic violence.

Dar (2013) reasons for underreporting of domestic violence

Victims may view incidents as trivial, not serious enough for police, or fear reprisal.

Cheal (1991) perspective on state intervention in domestic violence

State agencies are reluctant to get involved in domestic violence cases due to the perception of family as a private sphere.

Violence in lesbian relationships

The dynamics of domestic violence can also occur within same-sex relationships, though often underreported in statistics.

Ansara & Hindin (2011) findings

Women experience more serious violence and control in intimate relationships than men.

Wife homicide statistic by Dobash and Dobash

2 women per week are killed by a (former) partner, accounting for 1/3 of female homicide victims.

Coleman et al. (2007) finding

Women are more likely than men to experience intimate violence such as partner abuse, family abuse, and stalking.

Social causes of domestic violence

Factors such as economic inequalities, cultural norms, and peer influences that may lead to domestic violence.

Fran Ansley (Marxist feminist)

"Women are takers of shit," illustrating how women often bear the brunt of male frustration and anger.

Dobash & Dobash studies

Research illustrating that marriage can legitimise violence against women, granting men power over their female partners.

Ansara & Hindin (2011) study findings

Showcases that women are more likely than men to experience severe violence in intimate relationships.

Wilkinson & Pickett (2010) on social inequality

Argues that social inequality (e.g. overcrowded accommodation) generates stress, which may increase the incidence of domestic violence as worries about money/jobs/housing can lead to domestic conflict. Lack of time and money to maintain a big social circle means those under stress have less access to support from family and friends.

Cheal (1991) on state intervention

The state believes that individuals are free agents so women are free to leave abusive situations. This is false as male violence is often coupled with economic power so abused women are financially dependent on their husbands and therefore unable to leave

Social pattern of DV

It is mostly violence by men against women

Dobash & Dobash study methodology

Investigated the experiences of women in Scotland through interviews with women in women’s refuges and police and court records, focusing on the context of marriage and power dynamics.

Dobash & Dobash study findings

Women were slapped/beaten/pushed about/raped and killed by their husbands. Violence incidences could be set off by ‘challenges to the husband’s authority’ such as a wife asking their husband why he was late home for a meal

Impact of marital power on domestic violence

Dobash and Dobash revealed that traditional marital roles often exacerbated abusive situations, with women reporting feeling trapped due to societal expectations. Marriage legitimised violence, as it conferred authority on husbands while enforcing dependency on wives.

Significance of Dobash & Dobash research

Their work highlighted the need for societal change regarding marital norms and the importance of recognizing domestic violence as a public issue.

Statistics on domestic violence among men in 2019 (Crime Survey for England and Wales 2020)

3.6% of men (750,000) experienced domestic violence.

Fran Ansley criticisms

Explains why it’s men vs women and not vice versa but fails to explain why not all men commit DV and why there are women who commit DV