domestic violence and abuse

The Home Office (2013) defines domestic violence and abuse as:

'Any incident or pattern of incidents of c____, c____ or t____ b___, v____ or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are or have been i____ partners or family members regardless of g____ or s____.'

This can include p____, p____, s____, f____ and emotional violence or abuse.

The Home Office (2013) defines domestic violence and abuse as:

'Any incident or pattern 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 include psychological, physical, sexual, financial and emotional violence or abuse.

what is a common view of domestic violence

• Domestic violence is far too w____ to be simply the work of a what. According to the W____ A____ F____ (2014), domestic violence) accounts for between a ___and a ___ of all recorded violent crime.

• Domestic violence does not occur r____ but follows what and these patterns have s____ c____.

• The most striking of these patterns is that it is mainly violence by who against who.

• For example, K____ C_____ et al (2007) found that women were more likely than men to have experienced 'i____ v____' across all four types of abuse - p___ a____, f____ a___, s____ a___ and s___

A common view of domestic violence is that it is the behaviour of a few disturbed or 'sick' individuals, and that its causes are psychological rather than social. However, sociologists have challenged this view:

• Domestic violence is far too widespread to be simply the work of a few disturbed individuals. According to the Women's Aid Federation (2014), domestic violence) accounts for between a 1/6 and a ¼ of all recorded violent crime.

• Domestic violence does not occur randomly but follows particular social patterns and these patterns have social causes.

• The most striking of these patterns is that it is mainly violence by men against women.
  For example, Kathryn Coleman et al (2007) found that women were more likely than men to have experienced 'intimate violence' across all four types of abuse - partner abuse, family abuse, sexual assault and stalking

• D___ and D____ found that violent incidents could be set off by what

• They argue that marriage l____ violence against women by c____ p___ and a___ on husbands and d_____ on w____^.

• Dobash and Dobash found that violent incidents could be set off by what a husband saw as a challenge to his authority, such as his wife asking why he was late home for a meal.

• They argue that marriage legitimates violence against women by conferring power and authority on husbands and dependency on wives.

Most victims of abuse are women. Evidence :

• For example, the large-scale C___ S____ for England and Wales (2020) estimates that ___ million women had experienced d____ a____ in the previous year

• S____ W___ and J____A___ (2004) found that women were much more likely to be victims of m____ incidents of a____ and of s____ violence.

• D____ A___ and M____ H____ (2011) found that women suffered more severe violence and control, with more serious psychological effects. They also found that women were much more likely than men to be f____ of their p____.

Most victims of abuse are women. Evidence :

• For example, the large-scale Crime Survey for England and Wales (2020) estimates that 1.6 million women had experienced domestic abuse in the previous year

• Sylvia Walby and Jonathan Allen (2004) found that women were much more likely to be victims of multiple incidents of abuse and of sexual violence.

• Donna Ansara and Michelle Hindin (2011) found that women suffered more severe violence and control, with more serious psychological effects. They also found that women were much more likely than men to be fearful of their partners.

official statistics

Official statistics on domestic violence and abuse understate the t___ e___ of the problem for two main reasons :

1) victims may be unwilling to do what

• S _____ Y____ (1997) found that on average a woman suffers how many assaults before making a r___.

• D____ argues that victims of domestic violence are less likely than victims of other forms of violence to report the offence - why is this

2) police and prosecutors may be reluctant to do what

According to D____ C____ (1991), this reluctance is due to the fact that police and other state agencies are not prepared to do what .

They make three assumptions about family life- what are they

However, this is not true. Male violence is often coupled with m____ e____ power: abused women are often f____ d____ on their husbands and unable to l___.

official statistics

Official statistics on domestic violence and abuse understate the true extent of the problem for two main reasons :

1) victims may be unwilling to report it to the police.

• Stephanie Yearnshire (1997) found that on average a woman suffers 35 assaults before making a report.

• Dar argues that victims of domestic violence are less likely than victims of other forms of violence to report the offence because they believe that it is not a matter for the police or that it is too trivial, or from fear of retaliation .

2) police and prosecutors may be reluctant to record, investigate or prosecute those cases that are reported to them.

• According to David Cheal (1991), this reluctance is due to the fact that police and other state agencies are not prepared to become involved in the family.

They make three assumptions about family life:

• that the family is a private sphere, so access to it by state agencies should be limited

• that the family is a good thing and so agencies tend to neglect the 'darker side' of family life

• that individuals are free agents, so it is assumed that if a woman is experiencing abuse she is free to leave.

However, this is not true. Male violence is often coupled with male economic power: abused women are often financially dependent on their husbands and unable to leave.i

explanations of domestic violence

• we can identify two types of explanation of domestic violence- what are they

explanations of domestic violence

• we can identify two types of explanation of domestic violence:

  • The radical feminist explanation- This emphasises the role of patriarchal ideas, cultural values and institutions.

  • The materialist explanation - This emphasises economic factors such as lack of resources.

explanations of domestic violence- radical feminist explanation

• K____ M___ (1970) and S____ F___ (1970) argue that all societies have been founded on p___.

• They see the key division in society as that between who . m____ are the e____: they are the o____ and e____ of women.

• Radical feminists see the family and marriage as the key i___ in p___ society and the main source of what

• Within the family, men dominate women through qhat

explanations of domestic violence- radical feminist explanation

• Kate Millett (1970) and Shulamith Firestone (1970) argue that all societies have been founded on patriarchy.

• They see the key division in society as that between men and women. Men are the enemy: they are the oppressors and exploiters of women.

• Radical feminists see the family and marriage as the key institutions in patriarchal society and the main source of women's oppression.

• Within the family, men dominate women through domestic violence or the threat of it

explanations of domestic violence- radical feminist explanation

• For radical feminists, widespread domestic violence is an inevitable feature of patriarchal society and serves to preserve the power that all men have over all women.

• In their view, this helps to explain why most domestic violence is committed by men. Radical feminists give a sociological, rather than a psychological, explanation by linking patterns of domestic violence to dominant social norms about marriage.

• Furthermore, in their view, male domination of state institutions helps to explain the reluctance of the police and courts to deal effectively with cases of domestic violence.

explanations of domestic violence- radical feminist explanation

• For radical feminists, widespread domestic violence is an i____ feature of patriarchal society and serves to do what

• In their view, this helps to explain what. Radical feminists give a sociological, rather than a psychological, explanation by linking patterns of domestic violence to what

• Furthermore, in their view, male domination of s____ i____ helps to explain the r___ of the police and courts to deal e___ with cases of domestic violence.

explanations of domestic violence- radical feminist explanation- Evaulation

✗- F____ R____ E____ (1996) rejects the radical feminist claim that all men benefit from what. Not all men are an____ and most are opposed to domestic violence. Radical feminists ignore this.

✗- Radical feminists also fail to explain female violence, including c____ a____ by w___ and violence against m___ partners and within l___ relationships. For example, the Crime Survey for England and Wales (2020) estimates that how many men have experienced domestic violence since the age of __

✗- Radical feminists use the concept of p_____ to explain why most victims of domestic violence are women, but they wrongly assume what. They explain why it is women and not men who are victims, but they fail to explain which women are most likely to be victims.

For example, evidence from the O____ for N____ S____ (2014) suggests that women from some social groups face a greater risk of domestic violence. These include:

• y___^ women

• those in the lowest what and those living where

• those on l____ i___ or in f____ d____

• those living in s____ and r____ a____

• those with high levels of a_____ c____ or using illegal drugs

• those with a long term illness or disability.

explanations of domestic violence- radical feminist explanation- Evaulation

✗- Faith Robertson Elliot (1996) rejects the radical feminist claim that all men benefit from violence against women. Not all men are aggressive and most are opposed to domestic violence. Radical feminists ignore this.

✗- Radical feminists also fail to explain female violence, including child abuse by women and violence against male partners and within lesbian relationships. For example, the Crime Survey for England and Wales (2020) estimates that 2.9 million men have experienced domestic violence since the age of 16.

✗- Radical feminists use the concept of patriarchy to explain why most victims of domestic violence are women, but they wrongly assume that all women are equally at risk of patriarchal violence. They explain why it is women and not men who are victims, but they fail to explain which women are most likely to be victims.

For example, evidence from the Office for National Statistics (2014) suggests that women from some social groups face a greater risk of domestic violence. These include:

• young women

• those in the lowest social classes and those living in the most deprived areas

• those on low incomes or in financial difficulties

• those living in shared and rented accommodation

• those with high levels of alcohol consumption or using illegal drugs

• those with a long term illness or disability.

explanations of domestic violence- material explanation

• The materialist explanation of domestic violence focuses on what such as inequalities in i_____ and h____ to explain why some groups are more at risk than others.

• For example, Richard W____ and Kate P__ (2010) see domestic violence as the result of what

• what does Inequality mean . Those on l____ i____ or living in o____ an_____ are likely to experience what

• This reduces their chances of maintaining what and increases the risk of what For example:

  • worries about m____, j___ and h____ may spill over into d____ c____ as tempers become f____

  • lack of m____ and t____ restricts people's s___ c___ and reduces s___ s___ for those under stress.

  The findings of Wilkinson and Pickett show that not all people are equally in danger of suffering domestic violence: who is at greater risk

explanations of domestic violence- material explanation

• The materialist explanation of domestic violence focuses on economic and material factors such as inequalities in income and housing to explain why some groups are more at risk than others.

• For example, Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett (2010) see domestic violence as the result of stress on family members caused by social inequality.

• Inequality means that some families have fewer resources than others. Those on low incomes or living in overcrowded accommodation are likely to experience higher levels of stress.

• This reduces their chances of maintaining stable, caring relationships and increases the risk of conflict and violence. For example:

  • worries about money, jobs and housing may spill over into domestic conflict as tempers become frayed

  • lack of money and time restricts people's social circle and reduces social support for those under stress.

  The findings of Wilkinson and Pickett show that not all people are equally in danger of suffering domestic violence: those with less power, status, wealth or income are often at greatest risk.

explanations of domestic violence- material explanation- Evaluation

• ✓-W____ and P___ approach is useful in showing what. As those in l___ s___ c___ face g___ h____ and thus s___, this helps to explain the class differences in what

• ✓- Marxist feminists also see inequality causing domestic violence. For example, F___ A____ (1972) describes wives as what. She argues that domestic violence is the and they take out their f___ on their wives product of c___: male workers are e____ at work

• ✗-However, unlike the radical feminist approach, Wilkinson and Pickett do not explain what

explanations of domestic violence- material explanation- Evaluation

• ✓-Wilkinson and Pickett's approach is useful in showing how social inequality produces stress and triggers conflict and violence in families. As those in lower social classes face greater hardship and thus stress, this helps to explain the class differences in the statistics on domestic violence

• ✓- Marxist feminists also see inequality causing domestic violence. For example, Fran Ansley (1972) describes wives as 'takers of shit'. She argues that domestic violence is the and they take out their frustration on their wives product of capitalism: male workers are exploited at work

• ✗-However, unlike the radical feminist approach, Wilkinson and Pickett do not explain why women rather than men are the main victims