DOMESTIC ABUSE
Domestic abuse is the use of violence, abuse or threatening behaviour against a
partner, ex-partner, or family member. It is defined as taking place between two
family members. Domestic abuse only applies to those over the age of 16, for victims
under 16, the offence would be considered child abuse.
Types of domestic abuse include: physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse,
financial abuse, coercive behaviour, and psychological abuse.
Majority of offenders are male, and majority of victims are female. 1 in 7 men
experience domestic abuse in their lifetime. True figures will never be known as
domestic abuse is very often reported and is considered a hidden crime. Some
women can fall into demographics which are more likely to be victim than other. The
CSEW (Crime Survey of England and Wales) have concluded that the following groups
of women are at a higher risk of victimisation: aged 16-24, separated or divorced
women, lone parents, those with a disability, and those in the working class.
Public awareness for domestic abuse is mixed, as it is considered a hidden crime, it is
not visible to the public, as offenders would most likely not abuse the victim in
public, not wanting to be caught. Domestic abuse goes unreported and so it does not
accurately reflect official crime statistics. Even though domestic abuse is away from
the public eye, societal awareness of the crime is high. The reason this is, is because
of high profile campaigns from feminist groups as well as popular culture such as
Hollyoaks domestic abuse campaigns and Coronation Street (Yasmeen and Geoff).
Domestic abuse is a criminal offence by UK law and is considered deviant. The CSEW
in 2017 conducted research, suggesting that a small minority of both men and
women said it was acceptable to hit or slap a partner in certain circumstances e.g.
having an affair.
Clare Wood, a Salford-based single mother of three who was 36 at the time, was
grappling with the effects of her break-up with George Appleton. She had connected
with the 40-year-old on Facebook, but after learning that Appleton had affairs with
four women he had met online, she decided to call it an end on the relationship. Five
days after breaking up with him, on October 7, 2008, she walked into Salford
Pendleton police station and told detectives about his rage at being rejected. He
made derogatory comments, threatened to set her house on fire, break the
windows, and have her stabbed. He has also threatened her with an iron. Two police
officers accompanied her home, making sure it was secure. February 2, 2009, four
months to the day after she ended it, Claire was found dead at her home. She had