Domestic violence

definition

• any controlling, coercive, threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between intimate partners or family members aged 16+

• psychological, physical, sexual, financial, and emotional abuse

patterns

• Coleman et al. (2007): Women more likely to experience all forms of intimate violence.

• Coleman & Osborne (2010): Two women a week killed by a partner/ex-partner.

• Dobash & Dobash (1979, 2007): Violence often triggered by challenges to male authority; marriage legitimates male power.

• Walby & Allen (2004): Women suffer more repeated and sexual abuse.

• Ansara & Hindin (2011): Women face more severe control and psychological harm.

• Dar (2013): Abuse may be continuous and hard to quantify.

official stats - underreporting

• Yearnshire (1997): Women suffer 35 assaults before reporting.

• Dar: Victims may fear reprisals or see it as trivial/private.

official stats - institutional reluctance

• Cheal (1991): Police assume family is private, inherently good, and women can freely leave.

• Economic dependence often traps women.

official stats - low conviction rates

• Only 6.5% of reported cases led to convictions (2006–11).

radical feminist explanations

• Domestic violence is a product of patriarchy.

• Men use violence to maintain power over women.

• Institutions (e.g. police, courts) are male-dominated and fail to protect women.

• Millett & Firestone (1970): Men are oppressors in patriarchal societies.

ao3

• Elliot (1996): Not all men are violent; most oppose abuse.

• Ignores female violence (e.g. child abuse, lesbian relationships).

• Crime Survey (2013): 18% of men have experienced domestic violence.

• Doesn’t explain which women are most at risk.

materialistic explanation

• Focuses on economic inequality and stress.

• Wilkinson & Pickett (2010): Stress from low income, poor housing increases conflict and violence.

• Lack of resources reduces social support and relationship stability.

ao3

• Doesn’t explain why women are disproportionately victims.

• Marxist feminist Ansley (1972): Domestic violence is a result of capitalist exploitation; men take out work frustrations on wives. - not all males are violent / doesn’t explain female violence