Issues 1. To what extent is domesti iolenie a gendered issue, and to what extent does the
law aiknowledge that? Is the UK go ernment taking its obligatons in this regard
seriously enough?
2. What are the pros and ions of a ‘pro-arrest, pro-proseiutonn approaih to domesti
iolenie?
Pros
- Understandably, victis are ofen rellctant to be witnesses in colrt
for a range of reasons which iay incllde: fear and intiidatono
concerns over holsing, welfare and iiiigraton statlso their own
relatonship to the defendanto and (where there are children the
defendants’ relatonships with their children.
- Soieties victis iay also be well lnaware that they are victis in
their sitlatons and enttled to legal redress
- “Then they can be ostracized by the community or
subject to more abuse” → A more blame-free process
- Has a great coiilnicatve valle – sends a strong iessage that DV
are acts of criies and sholld be regarded seriolsly
- Effectvely prosecltng perpetrators of DV – ieans that the state
tlrns towards feiinisi and away froi patriarchy (Soie feiinist
acadeiic
Cons
- May be ineffectve if the right slpport systeis are not in place (e.g.
police response
- Reqlires greater police training + evidence-gathering
systeis or protocol (to really help bolster victi’s testiony
3. What ionierns might there be about DVPNs and DVPOs? Do the benefts outweigh
the ionierns?
Idea of Domesti - Defniton
Violenie - In March 2013, following conslltaton, the Hoie Ofce introdlced a new
ofcial defniton of doiestc violence to incllde yolng people aged 1t to 1p
and coercive or controlling behaviolr. The new defniton of doiestc violence
now reads:
- 'Doiestc violence' inclldes any incident or patern of incidents of
controlling, coercive or threatening behaviolr, violence or ablse between
those aged 1t or over who are or have been intiate partners or faiily
ieibers regardless of gender or sexlality. This can encoipass, blt is
not liiited to, psychological, physical, sexlal, fnancial, or eiotonal
ablse.
- 'Controlling behaviolr' ieans an act or patern of acts designed to iake
a person slbordinate and/or dependent by isolatng thei froi solrces
of slpport, exploitng their resolrces and capacites for personal gain,
depriving thei of the ieans needed for independence, resistance and
escape and regllatng their everyday behaviolr.
- 'Coercive behaviolr' ieans an act or a patern of acts of assallt, threats,
law aiknowledge that? Is the UK go ernment taking its obligatons in this regard
seriously enough?
2. What are the pros and ions of a ‘pro-arrest, pro-proseiutonn approaih to domesti
iolenie?
Pros
- Understandably, victis are ofen rellctant to be witnesses in colrt
for a range of reasons which iay incllde: fear and intiidatono
concerns over holsing, welfare and iiiigraton statlso their own
relatonship to the defendanto and (where there are children the
defendants’ relatonships with their children.
- Soieties victis iay also be well lnaware that they are victis in
their sitlatons and enttled to legal redress
- “Then they can be ostracized by the community or
subject to more abuse” → A more blame-free process
- Has a great coiilnicatve valle – sends a strong iessage that DV
are acts of criies and sholld be regarded seriolsly
- Effectvely prosecltng perpetrators of DV – ieans that the state
tlrns towards feiinisi and away froi patriarchy (Soie feiinist
acadeiic
Cons
- May be ineffectve if the right slpport systeis are not in place (e.g.
police response
- Reqlires greater police training + evidence-gathering
systeis or protocol (to really help bolster victi’s testiony
3. What ionierns might there be about DVPNs and DVPOs? Do the benefts outweigh
the ionierns?
Idea of Domesti - Defniton
Violenie - In March 2013, following conslltaton, the Hoie Ofce introdlced a new
ofcial defniton of doiestc violence to incllde yolng people aged 1t to 1p
and coercive or controlling behaviolr. The new defniton of doiestc violence
now reads:
- 'Doiestc violence' inclldes any incident or patern of incidents of
controlling, coercive or threatening behaviolr, violence or ablse between
those aged 1t or over who are or have been intiate partners or faiily
ieibers regardless of gender or sexlality. This can encoipass, blt is
not liiited to, psychological, physical, sexlal, fnancial, or eiotonal
ablse.
- 'Controlling behaviolr' ieans an act or patern of acts designed to iake
a person slbordinate and/or dependent by isolatng thei froi solrces
of slpport, exploitng their resolrces and capacites for personal gain,
depriving thei of the ieans needed for independence, resistance and
escape and regllatng their everyday behaviolr.
- 'Coercive behaviolr' ieans an act or a patern of acts of assallt, threats,
