Is the UK’s Criminal Justice Systems Treatment of Male Victims of
Domestic Abuse Unfair in Comparison to Female Victims?
Abstract-
This discussion aimed to explore the connection between the UK’s Criminal Justice Systems
(CJS) treatment of male victims and whether it was unfair compared to the treatment of
female victims. Research was conducted into the issue of male victims and how they are
treated in relation to the police, the courts and domestic violence agencies. This was then
compared to female victims of domestic violence and whether they were supported and if
justice was effectively delivered for them.
Through research three main themes were identified: ‘Real Men Don’t Hit Back’, ‘Societal
Views’ and ‘Seeking Help’. These all showed how male victims were treated at different
stages of the Criminal Justice System as well as by their peers and members of society. The
findings were conclusive in showing male victims are terribly undersupported by each stage
of the CJS and many are made to feel they are overreacting and ‘not a real man’. These
themes were highlighted through case studies and transcripts taken from primary research,
and shown consistently throughout the discussion.
Introduction-
Background Information on Domestic Abuse-
Domestic abuse is defined by the Home office as:
"Any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling coercive or threatening behaviour, violence
or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are or have been intimate partners or family
members, regardless of gender or sexuality." This can encompass, but is not limited to, the
following types of abuse:
1. psychological
2. physical
3. sexual
4. financial
5. emotional
"Controlling behaviour is: a range of acts designed to make a person subordinate and/or
dependant by isolating them from sources of support, exploiting their resources and
capacities for personal gain, depriving them of the means needed for independence,
resistance and escape and regulating their everyday behaviour.
"Coercive behaviour is: an act or a pattern of acts of assaults, threats, humiliation and
intimidation or other abuse that is used to harm, punish, or frighten their victim." (CPS)
Domestic abuse is a serious problem in familial settings, though it is important to note there
is no specific offence of ‘domestic violence or domestic abuse’. The term ‘domestic abuse’
can be applied to a number or offences which take place in a domestic setting. The nature of
the offending behaviour is domestic in the sense the aggravating factor is the lack of trust
, involved. Victims of domestic abuse will more often than not live, or would have lived, with
the offender.
Domestic abuse is also rarely a one-off incident, with the abuse being more likely to become
increasingly frequent and serious the longer it continues (CPS). The close proximity between
the victim and perpetrator, in both physical and emotional nature, can make victims of
domestic abuse reluctant to want to go through the Criminal Justice System (CJS), as they
will need to make difficult decisions which will be significant on other people's lives as well as
their own. Domestic abuse cases can also be difficult to prosecute, and require sensitive and
careful handling. Several factors need to be taken into account, including the relationship
between the victim and perpetrator, the victims family circumstances, cultural and religious
beliefs alongside other factors like gender identity, mental capacity and more.
Why I chose this topic-
My interest in domestic abuse, specifically how male victims are treated in comparison to
female victims, stemmed from seeing government adverts and news reports on how
domestic abuse is getting worse during lockdown. There were many advertisements
highlighting how women who suffer from domestic abuse were in a dangerous position as
they were trapped with their abuser, but male victims were omitted entirely from reports. This
complete disregard of male victims was shocking as the government has publicly
acknowledged male victims in the past, but had not made any attempts to recognise male
victims are also in a precarious position. It was through this the inequality male victims of
domestic abuse face from both society and the criminal justice system was fully revealed,
and it became the topic for my EPQ.
The sections of my argument-
The first section of my argument is about what male victims go through and why they choose
not to retaliate. I want to look into what has happened to them, the effects the abuse has on
the victim and why they act as though nothing has happened. This included acting in self
defence, and trying to stop the violence from progressing. The main aim of this section is to
show the abuse male victims go through and how they are not helped.
The second section of my argument is focused on gender disparities and how this affects the
criminal justice system. I am choosing to focus this into the gender paradigm, emasculated
men and changing attitudes in regards to gender. I am also going to research statistics to
help further the integrity of my argument. The main aim of this section is to show how
societal views affect the criminal justice system and general ideas surrounding victims of
abuse.
The final section of my argument is going to be about seeking help. This includes the attitude
of the different institutions within the criminal justice system, and domestic abuse shelters
and support places. I am going to compare this to the services female victims are able to
access to show how unfair the system is. The main aim I have for this section is to show how
Domestic Abuse Unfair in Comparison to Female Victims?
Abstract-
This discussion aimed to explore the connection between the UK’s Criminal Justice Systems
(CJS) treatment of male victims and whether it was unfair compared to the treatment of
female victims. Research was conducted into the issue of male victims and how they are
treated in relation to the police, the courts and domestic violence agencies. This was then
compared to female victims of domestic violence and whether they were supported and if
justice was effectively delivered for them.
Through research three main themes were identified: ‘Real Men Don’t Hit Back’, ‘Societal
Views’ and ‘Seeking Help’. These all showed how male victims were treated at different
stages of the Criminal Justice System as well as by their peers and members of society. The
findings were conclusive in showing male victims are terribly undersupported by each stage
of the CJS and many are made to feel they are overreacting and ‘not a real man’. These
themes were highlighted through case studies and transcripts taken from primary research,
and shown consistently throughout the discussion.
Introduction-
Background Information on Domestic Abuse-
Domestic abuse is defined by the Home office as:
"Any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling coercive or threatening behaviour, violence
or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are or have been intimate partners or family
members, regardless of gender or sexuality." This can encompass, but is not limited to, the
following types of abuse:
1. psychological
2. physical
3. sexual
4. financial
5. emotional
"Controlling behaviour is: a range of acts designed to make a person subordinate and/or
dependant by isolating them from sources of support, exploiting their resources and
capacities for personal gain, depriving them of the means needed for independence,
resistance and escape and regulating their everyday behaviour.
"Coercive behaviour is: an act or a pattern of acts of assaults, threats, humiliation and
intimidation or other abuse that is used to harm, punish, or frighten their victim." (CPS)
Domestic abuse is a serious problem in familial settings, though it is important to note there
is no specific offence of ‘domestic violence or domestic abuse’. The term ‘domestic abuse’
can be applied to a number or offences which take place in a domestic setting. The nature of
the offending behaviour is domestic in the sense the aggravating factor is the lack of trust
, involved. Victims of domestic abuse will more often than not live, or would have lived, with
the offender.
Domestic abuse is also rarely a one-off incident, with the abuse being more likely to become
increasingly frequent and serious the longer it continues (CPS). The close proximity between
the victim and perpetrator, in both physical and emotional nature, can make victims of
domestic abuse reluctant to want to go through the Criminal Justice System (CJS), as they
will need to make difficult decisions which will be significant on other people's lives as well as
their own. Domestic abuse cases can also be difficult to prosecute, and require sensitive and
careful handling. Several factors need to be taken into account, including the relationship
between the victim and perpetrator, the victims family circumstances, cultural and religious
beliefs alongside other factors like gender identity, mental capacity and more.
Why I chose this topic-
My interest in domestic abuse, specifically how male victims are treated in comparison to
female victims, stemmed from seeing government adverts and news reports on how
domestic abuse is getting worse during lockdown. There were many advertisements
highlighting how women who suffer from domestic abuse were in a dangerous position as
they were trapped with their abuser, but male victims were omitted entirely from reports. This
complete disregard of male victims was shocking as the government has publicly
acknowledged male victims in the past, but had not made any attempts to recognise male
victims are also in a precarious position. It was through this the inequality male victims of
domestic abuse face from both society and the criminal justice system was fully revealed,
and it became the topic for my EPQ.
The sections of my argument-
The first section of my argument is about what male victims go through and why they choose
not to retaliate. I want to look into what has happened to them, the effects the abuse has on
the victim and why they act as though nothing has happened. This included acting in self
defence, and trying to stop the violence from progressing. The main aim of this section is to
show the abuse male victims go through and how they are not helped.
The second section of my argument is focused on gender disparities and how this affects the
criminal justice system. I am choosing to focus this into the gender paradigm, emasculated
men and changing attitudes in regards to gender. I am also going to research statistics to
help further the integrity of my argument. The main aim of this section is to show how
societal views affect the criminal justice system and general ideas surrounding victims of
abuse.
The final section of my argument is going to be about seeking help. This includes the attitude
of the different institutions within the criminal justice system, and domestic abuse shelters
and support places. I am going to compare this to the services female victims are able to
access to show how unfair the system is. The main aim I have for this section is to show how
