Domestic violence in the United Kingdom

The first known use of the term domestic violence in a modern context, meaning violence in the home, was in an address to the Parliament of the United Kingdom by Jack Ashley in 1973.[5][6] The term previously referred primarily to civil unrest, violence from within a country as opposed to violence perpetrated by a foreign power.[7][8][nb 1]

According to the Office of National Statistics (ONS) about 4.2% of men and 7.9% of women suffered domestic abuse in England and Wales during 2018.[10] This equates to about 685,000 male victims and 1,300,000 women. Murders related to domestic violence are at a five year high. The majority of victims are women and the majority of suspects are men.[11] Domestic abuse campaigner, Jess Phillips MP, maintains the government focused too much on criminal justice, while cutting police resources and refuge beds were reduced.[12]

One in four women and one in six men will be affected by domestic abuse during their lives. On average 2 women are murdered every week and 30 men are murdered every year due to domestic violence. 16% of violent crime is domestic abuse though domestic abuse is least likely to be reported to the police. There are more repeat victims of domestic abuse than repeat victims of any other crime. On average domestic abuse victims will have been assaulted 68 times before reporting it to the police. Domestic abuse is the single most quoted reason a person becomes homeless.[13]

Domestic abuse also affects older people. Age UK provided figures showing 200,000 people aged 60 to 74 experienced domestic abuse in England and Wales during one year, Unrecorded abuse could mean the actual figures are higher. People over 74 were not included in the figures. Caroline Abrahams of Age UK said, “There’s a widespread misconception that domestic abuse only happens to younger people but sadly hundreds of thousands of older people are affected, too. barriers [to asking for help or to leaving an abusive relationship] can be severe for survivors who have been subject to years of prolonged abuse, are isolated within a particular community through language or culture, are experiencing long-term health impacts or disabilities, or those who are reliant on their abuser for their care or money.”[14]

The Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004 (c 28) is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It applies to England & Wales, Northern Ireland in part, but not to Scotland. It is concerned with criminal justice and concentrates upon legal protection and assistance to victims of crime, particularly domestic violence. It also expands the provision for trials without a jury, brings in new rules for trials for causing the death of a child or vulnerable adult, and permits bailiffs to use force to enter homes.[15]

In 2017 it was reported that the Office for National Statistics's research findings suggested that over 10% of 16-19-year-old women are affected by the issue each year.[16]

Government plans to cut funding for women's refuges could make it harder for women and children to escape domestic violence. 2,000 women a year could be affected. 60% of referrals to refuges were turned away in 2016-17 and funding cuts could make the situation worse.[17] Other vulnerable groups will have to compete for funding with refuges against domestic violence and women fleeing domestic violence may be subject to a postcode lottery over whether they can escape or not.[18] Women fleeing domestic violence are frequently put into grossly unsuitable housing, housing where a toilet leaks and housing overrun with mice are examples. This creates a risk that women will return to the abuser. Other very vulnerable women fleeing domestic abuse are forced to sleep rough.[19]

Changes to legal aid meant 3234 victims had to face their abuser in court without legal support during the first 9 months of 2017, this contrasts with 1309 victims in the first 9 months of 2012.[20] Katie Ghose of Women’s Aid said, “We know that the cross-examination of victims in the family courts by their abusive former partner is far too common. (...) It is a matter of urgency that the government prioritises the implementation of the ban on this abhorrent practice, be it through the courts bill or the domestic violence and abuse bill. Survivors must be able to safely access justice in both the criminal and family courts in their escape from domestic abuse.”[21]

65% of Local Authorities have cut real terms funding for women's refuges in England, Wales and Scotland since 2010. The government plans to make victims of domestic abuse compete with other vulnerable groups for funding for temporary housing. Women fleeing domestic violence will not be eligible for housing benefit; instead there will be limited funding to provide for domestic violence victims, drug addicts, former offenders and homeless people.[22]

Women's assets are taken into account in deciding if they qualify for legal aid. Frequently women cannot access their assets because the assets are controlled by the abuser. This prevents women getting protection from the courts. Mark Groves of the National Centre for Domestic Violence said, "While many people think Legal Aid is free, it is not, you have to pay a means-tested contribution. Economic abuse victims who don't control their money may not have this [and] those who have fled the family home may not have the right documentation. If you own a house, you have to put down a cash deposit equal to the equity in that house, which could be hundreds of thousands."[23]

Some men have repeatedly killed female partners. In the case of Theodore Johnson, convicted of murder in January 2018 and eventually jailed for a minimum of 30 years,[24] he was found guilty of manslaughter on two previous occasions because of his mental health. Such cases are seen as evidence that violence by men against women is not treated seriously by the authorities.[25]

Some people accused of domestic violence intimidate their victims into not appearing in court, then the case against them is dropped. A report, from the police and Northumbria crime commissioner, Dame Vera Baird QC, monitored over 220 cases. It suggests cases where the complainant fails to appear are too easily dismissed and criminal justice services need more resources.[26]

Immigrants are especially vulnerable to domestic violence.[4][27] Since 2012 under the hostile environment policy immigrants who are victims of domestic abuse are increasingly deported. The Guardian wrote, "The refusal rate for applications under the domestic violence rule rose from 12% in 2012 to 30% in 2016, the last year for which full-year data was available. The figures show that 1,325 people were refused out of a total of 5,820 applications made between 2012 and 2016." Abuse victims may be deported based on what the abuser states without their case being heard.[28]

In Scotland there is an initiative to reduce domestic violence called the 'Equally Safe Strategy'. This involves early intervention in domestic abuse cases affecting women, girls and children. The Caledonian Programme dealing with men convicted of crimes involving domestic abuse will be expanded to help reduce re-offending and the 'Rape Crisis Sexual Violence Prevention Programme' will also be introduced in more schools. A rape and sexual abuse support service in England and Wales is also receiving a boost.[29]

Most refuges do not have disabled access though disabled women are more likely to experience domestic abuse than able bodied women. One in ten refuge places is accessible to domestic violence victims with physical disabilities. Out of 131 councils 20 had no accessible places at all. 16.8% of women with chronic sickness or disability suffer domestic abuse compared to 6.3% of able bodied women. Domestic abuse can involve physical, sexual or emotional abuse, also not providing care from people with long lasting sickness or disability. Council funding for women's refuges overall fell by 6% over the five years to 2018 data from 144 out of 210 UK councils contacted reveals. The largest reduction in spending on domestic violence refuges was from Southampton City Council, which cut spending by 65% since 2013/4.[30]

Women charities in the UK have complained of domestic violence victims being subjected to racism, by being refused places for refuge on the basis of the language they speak. Victims were said to be refused for not speaking English. The charities reported that out of the 20 victims, 5 were rejected by refuges for not speaking the English language.[31]

The National Domestic Abuse Helpline (telephone number 0808-2000-247) from Refuge gives support, help and information about domestic violence. This helpline is confidential, free and available 24 hours per day.[32]