Domestic violence

Definition of Domestic Violence

  • Defined by the Home Office (2013) as any controlling, coercive, threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between intimate partners or family members aged 16+.

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

Patterns and Gender Dynamics

  • Not random: Domestic violence follows social patterns, especially gendered ones.

  • Gendered nature: Most commonly male violence against women.

    • 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.

  • Severity and impact:

    • 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 Statistics

  • Underreporting:

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

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

  • Institutional reluctance:

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

    • Economic dependence often traps women.

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

Explanations of Domestic Violence and Radical Feminist Explanation

  • 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.

Evaluation:

  • 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.

    • ONS (2014): Higher risk for young women, low-income groups, substance users, disabled individuals.

    • Men in these groups also face increased risk.

Materialist 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.

Evaluation:

  • 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.

  • Critique: Not all male workers are violent; doesn’t explain female violence.