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Commission for Equality and Human Rights
Discrimination Law Review (DLR)
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Home | Other projects | Domestic Violence |
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Domestic Violence Archive |
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Domestic violence currently claims 150 lives a year, and affects millions more. The Government is determined to prevent domestic violence happening or recurring, to protect and support its victims, and to bring offenders to justice.
This Government is committed to tackling domestic violence. As the statistics show, it is rarely a one-off incident, but is usually manifested as a pattern of abusive and controlling behaviour. The Government is determined to ensure that perpetrators are held accountable for their actions.
It has defined domestic violence as ‘any incident of threatening behaviour, violence or abuse (psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional) between adults who are or have been intimate partners or family members, regardless of gender or sexuality.’
What are the key statistics?
What is the Government doing about it? In 2003, the Government published ‘Safety and Justice’, its consultation paper, setting out its approach to tackling domestic violence in three parts:
It can be found at www.homeoffice.gov.uk/docs2/violence.html in both a summary and full version.
The paper recognises that one Government agency or approach cannot work in isolation. Health, education, law enforcement, housing and those providing children’s services, to name a few, all need to work in tandem to provide victims with the support to rebuild their lives, bring perpetrators to justice and to work to prevent it occurring in the first place.
As a result, the Government is taking positive action to tackle domestic violence in a number of ways:
Opportunity Now Opportunity Now (a body representing hundreds of employers), working with Women’s Aid, launched The Good Practice Guide for Employers on Domestic Violence and the Workplace CD Rom in April 2003. The launch attracted over 100 employers and the CD Rom was sent to over 700 contacts.
Since then it has been advertised on the Opportunity Now website and in newsletters and has been sent out free to any employer who requests it. Since its launch, it has been distributed to a further 500 employers. Along with BT, WEU sponsored this initiative.
Copies can be obtained by contacting Women’s Aid on 0117 944 4411 or via the website at http://www.womensaid.org.uk/
Cabinet Office The Cabinet Office in association with the Home Office, the Women and Equality Unit and the Council of Civil Service Unions, has prepared guidance on how Government departments and agencies can develop increased awareness and more effective responses to domestic violence in the workplace for the benefit of all staff. There are separate guides for line managers and survivors. This is published on the Cabinet Office website on www.cabinet office.gov.uk/civilservice/domesticviolence/index.asp
TUC The TUC has produced Domestic violence: A guide for the workplace’ , aimed at employers and trade union reps to help them set up domestic violence policies at work. This is available at: www.tuc.org.uk/publications or Tel: 0207 467 1294.
The Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Bill The Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Bill is the biggest overhaul of domestic violence legislation for 30 years. It is a key part of the Government's aim of putting victims at the heart of the criminal justice system.
The Bill will help ensure an effective police response when victims report domestic violence, and make sure that the civil and criminal law offer the maximum protection to all victims to stop the violence recurring.
The domestic violence measures in the Bill include:
Internet Links The links below lead to the Bill as it stands while going through Parliament, along with its explanatory notes. www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200304/cmbills/083/2004083.htm www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200304/cmbills/083/en/04083x--.htm
Once the Bill becomes an Act, it can be found in the 2004 section of the following website: www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk/acts.htm
The Cost of Domestic Violence: A report by Sylvia Walby (University of Leeds) September 2004 The research estimates the cost of domestic violence for the state, employers and the men and women who are subjected to it. The methodology is based on the Home Office framework for costing crime and develops this so as to include the specific cost related to domestic violence. The estimate of costs provides an additional perspective for examining the devastating consequences of domestic violence for society as well as for victims.
The helpline number (0808 2000 247) is confidential, free to use and is operated on a national basis, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It is available to women, men and others affected by domestic violence.
This new service is potentially life-saving and will help ensure that women no longer have to suffer in silence at the hands of a violent partner. It offers the information and support women at risk need, when they need it. Women can call for advice on how to access refuges in an emergency, or for support and information about their options and rights. Concerned families and friends can also call in, and a translation service is available for women whose first language is not English.
Funding was provided by the Government and Comic Relief. The helpline is run by leading domestic violence charities Women's Aid and Refuge, not by the Government.
The Government is committed to meeting gaps in provision and improving standards of accommodation, and, where there is a demonstrated local need, will consider increasing refuge provision further to ensure that the approach is more integrated:
3 things done
3 things in the pipeline
Schools can be the first step in identifying family violence and the abuse of pupils, and can refer cases to social services. Where a school suspects that a pupil is a victim of abuse or at risk of abuse, or if it believes there are family problems, it should follow the local procedures for reporting its concerns. Section 175 of the Education Act 2002 will ensure that governing bodies and Local Education Authorities have appropriate child protection procedures in place.
3 things done
3 things in the pipeline
Download Does Sex Make a Difference?(PDF, 378K) (February 2004) An equalities pack for young people.
Domestic violence is a complex pattern of offending, but there is evidence to suggest that there are links between it and substance misuse – 32% of victims of domestic violence said that their attacker had been drinking. 3 things done
3 things in the pipeline
The Strategy Unit report committed us to:
In addition, the Government is committed to ensuring that all young people leave school with a responsible attitude towards drinking. Giving young people the relevant skills and knowledge is one step towards reversing the damage and waste caused by alcohol misuse, and safeguarding the health and well-being of future generations.
In the past, some victims have felt that the police did not take domestic violence seriously, and that they received unsympathetic or insensitive treatment. In recent years, however, the police have been making strenuous efforts to improve their response to domestic violence.
In 2002 the Central Police Training and Development Authority (Centrex) and the Association of Chief Police Officers published a new six part training pack on domestic violence. Each of its modules covers a different aspect of police work, ranging from the initial handling of a 999 call through to dealing sensitively with victims, as well as working with the local community and other agencies to prevent violence and hold offenders to account. The police are also refining their procedures to provide simpler and more reliable assessments of the risk offenders pose to their victims.
3 things done
3 things in the pipeline
The Government is committed to seeking continuous improvement in the handling of domestic violence cases. Over the last few years, the CPS has made great efforts to improve the way it handles domestic violence cases and the quality of its liaison with police forces over those cases.
In November 2001, the CPS issued a revised policy on prosecuting cases of domestic violence which focuses on safety, support, and information for victims; a closer civil/criminal interface; and, whenever possible, constructing cases based on evidence other than that of the victim.
3 things done
3 things in the pipeline
Because of the range and quantity of domestic violence offences, the CPS believes that, rather than setting up specialist domestic violence units, it is essential that all prosecutors have a proper understanding of domestic violence issues. Moreover, in addition to the co-ordinators there are prosecutors who are particularly experienced in handling domestic violence cases, and who can advise less experienced colleagues, review domestic violence files, and where appropriate, take over the conduct of particular cases.
3 things done
3 things in the pipeline
Probation areas have been running offender programmes for a number of years, often in partnership with the voluntary sector, but there has been only limited UK research into their effectiveness. In addition to the schemes being run by local probation areas, the National Probation Service and the Prison Service have been working together to ensure an effective and consistent approach to domestic violence offenders.
3 things done
3 things in the pipeline
Victims leaving a violent relationship will often need a range of financial and practical support. Specific guidance on the particular issues facing those leaving violent relationships and claiming benefits is available to Jobcentre Plus staff.
The Department for Work and Pensions is working with the Home Office and others to update this guidance to cover social security benefits, Social Fund loans and grants, and employment issues. It will also give staff practical guidance on what to do if they suspect a client, for example someone on the New Deal for Partners, is a victim of domestic violence.
Following the implementation of new tax credits on April 2003, some women are now receiving tax credits directly into their own bank account. Where this applies all the financial support given to the couple on behalf of their children will already be going directly to the mother. This should assist women leaving a violent relationship as they will have an unbroken source of funding.
The NHS has a particular contribution to make in domestic violence, not only because of the impact on victims' health, but also because the NHS may be the first contact point with professionals who can recognise and intervene in the situation.
As a result, Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) in England became responsible authorities within crime and disorder partnerships with effect from 30 April 2004. (The relevant legislation is section 5 (1) of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, as amended by the Police Reform Act 2002).
This means that PCTs now have a statutory responsibility to work in partnership with other responsible authorities to tackle crime and disorder and misuse of drugs issues locally.
3 things done
3 things in the pipeline
An evaluation of the Black Cab Campaign In April 2003, the Women and Equality Unit started an awareness training programme with the Public Carriage Office and the Transport and General Workers Union to make black cab drivers more aware of domestic violence. It ran for a year as a pilot project and the following documents its evaluation.
The programme was an innovative approach to engaging men in tackling violence against women. For the first time, a predominately male industry (cab drivers) was encouraged to speak out on domestic violence in a positive way. The campaign was for general awareness raising purposes only with drivers offering women the helpline number for contacting a refuge or driving them to the nearest police station or hospital if needed. The drivers were trained not to interfere or offer any opinions/advice to anyone.
Awareness training forms part of the London Licensed Cab Drivers induction training once they have completed the mandatory ‘Knowledge’ examinations. New drivers received awareness training designed to give clear factual information about the extent of domestic violence and a checklist of useful dos and don’ts.
Findings from Training Evaluation Following the domestic violence training session, drivers were asked three key questions about:
The responses:
Actions taken Checklists for drivers have been issued and helpline numbers provided on taxi receipts and on 328 tip-up seats in taxis. Existing drivers received a letter explaining the campaign, and a checklist and sample of taxi receipts with helpline numbers were sent in a mailshot to over 26,000 drivers. Posters listing the phone number with some advice have been designed for distribution to mini-cab offices throughout London. An aide-memoire card has also been produced with the helpline number and list of the dos and don’ts when encountering a possible domestic violence situation.
Conclusion These findings suggest that providing a short awareness raising session on domestic violence - which includes key facts, vital information, and a case study - is extremely helpful to cab drivers who may come into contact with victims of domestic violence. Most drivers not only found the session well run but also informative. Drivers also provided a number of recommendations.
The positive involvement of the Public Carriage Office in this campaign demonstrates a wider lesson, that good employers recognise and engage with issues of social justice that affect their employees and their customers.
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Updated September 2004 | © Crown copyright |
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