Changes in government policy towards domestic violence - Essay Example

Domestic violence includes female genital mutilation, forced marriage and "honour crimes". In England and Wales, domestic violence is rampant at 25% of all violent crime. Statistics of The British Crime Survey of 2000 reveal that domestic violence comprises 40% of the violent incidents reported by women and 10% of the violent incidents reported by men1. The self-completion section of the British Crime Survey of 1996 reveals that 25% of women and 17% of men will be a victim of domestic violence2.

Domestic violence is a complicated issue and the police, health, social services and education bodies have to attach greater importance to it. The Government has to ensure that domestic violence is accorded the organisational priority of those bodies that have to bring about change. The self - completion section of the British Crime Survey of 1996, highlights the importance of the adoption of a well considered and planned approach to this problem. The data of this survey have revealed that 50% of the women suffering from domestic violence had children less than sixteen years in the household4.

The Government's Fact sheet on Domestic Violence has recognized that "domestic violence is rarely a non-off event"5. Moreover, common assault is considered to be a comparatively minor offence, therefore considering domestic violence to be common assault detracts from the gravity of the pattern of behaviour that result in individual incidents. Domestic violence takes place in an intimate or family-type relationship and constitutes a pattern of coercive and controlling behaviour between adults.

Some of the tactics employed by the perpetrators of domestic violence include psychological, sexual and physical violence, emotional and verbal abuse, isolation, threats and intimidation, harassment, destruction of property, actual or threatened harm to children and pets and financial control. Crime statistics and research have revealed that no woman irrespective of race, ethnic or religious group, class, sexuality, disability or lifestyle is safe from domestic violence, which is repetitive, life-threatening and destroys the lives of women and children.

In the UK 25% to 33% of women experience domestic violence from a male partner in their lifetime, and on an average 1 woman is killed every three days in England due to domestic violence and the frequency of calls to the police for assistance is one per minute. Domestic violence incidents constitute 25% of all reported violent crime, despite the fact that less than 35% of actual domestic violence is reported to the police. It is essential for the criminal justice system to intervene and prosecute perpetrators of violence to women and children in order to improve protection and safety for abused women and children.

This will permit them to lead violence free lives. A major factor that helps perpetuate