Impact of Domestic Violence on Children Between the Age of 5-10 in the UK - Dissertation Example

In this paper, we are primarily interested in the extent of domestic violence affecting children in the UK. With the main focus being on the numerical characteristics regarding the extent of domestic violence. The data of the research are obtained from the work of social workers of domestic violence influencing children. The methodology followed in this research mainly focuses on the collection of data from the corresponding organizations and agencies, which work with adults and children, suffering from domestic violence and a review of the literature available on the subject from the same organizations in addition to reputed institutes such as the Royal College of Psychology.

It is first sensible to define, as far as is possible, exactly what domestic violence is. Domestic violence, according to the 2004 Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act, is an act of violence, or a pattern of abusive behavior that occurs between two people. It might be asked why a separate definition for domestic violence is needed as all the acts that are criminal under the Act are considered to be criminal whether they involve a spouse, son/daughter or a total stranger, or anything in-between them.

While it is true that the acts would be criminal anyway, the Act recognizes the need for special protective orders for those who might be victims of domestic violence that go beyond the ordinary protections offered by the law. The closeness and interconnected nature of the lives of those involved in domestic violence, both perpetrators, and victims, require special provisions within the law. WHO defines domestic violence as “any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or mental harm or suffering, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or private life” (WHO, 2000) According to the definition of Strathclyde Police domestic violence is viewed as “the physical, sexual or emotional abuse, whether or not actual injury is inflicted” (Strathclyde Police Department, public documents archive)