A family member of mine has been suffering in silence over domestic violence over the past 2 years. This year, she finally got help and got away from her husband’s control.
Many people within the Media Industry say the best ideas come from speaking to people about real life situations and hearing my family member’s story and side of the situation, I was inspired to look into domestic violence and how it effects the victims, families and even those committing the violence.
HERE ARE SOME FACTS ABOUT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Common myths
There are lots of myths and stereotypes about domestic violence. The facts are very different…
- She could just leave
- It mainly happens to poor women on council estates
- It’s alcohol that causes men to be violent
- Abused women must have done something to deserve it
- Certain women attract violent men
- Abusers were abused themselves
- Violent men can’t change
- Domestic violence is quite rare.
- If children don’t see the violence, they won’t be affected
- You shouldn’t get involved in other people’s rowsDo violent song lyrics, computer games or films glorify domestic violence?
The Basics
Domestic violence happens in all sections of society, it includes physical, emotional, sexual, financial and other abuse. Its victims are very vulnerable. Those who experience domestic violence are often isolated from friends, family and others sources of help. Domestic violence is often considered a ‘private’ crime; it occurs ‘behind closed doors’ and the victims find it hard to talk about or even to admit that it is happening.
There is no single, simple answer to the problem. Change involves tackling public attitudes, making violence unacceptable and ensuring that the criminal justice system is more sensitive to victims’ needs.
Inside Information
How many people are affected by domestic violence?
The police in the UK receive, on average, one call a minute from someone asking for help in a domestic violence incident. Yet this figure — over 500,000 incidents a year — is probably only a third of the domestic violence that actually happens. In four out of every five incidents the victims are women, and more than half of victims of domestic violence are victimised more than once. No other type of crime has a repeat victimisation rate this high.
How does domestic violence affect children?
Children often witness domestic violence. Indeed, there seems to be a strong link between people who abuse children and people who abuse partners or ex-partners. Domestic violence often increases when women marry, become pregnant and have children. In almost a third of relationships where domestic violence happens it starts during pregnancy.
Are men ever victims of domestic violence?
Domestic violence does affect men, but it can be very hard for them to talk about. Just under 1 in 5 victims of domestic violence in the British Crime Survey 2001/2002 were men. Yet a Scottish Crime Survey found that a majority of men who said they were victims of domestic violence were also perpetrators. Men are less likely to be repeat victims than women and are less likely to be seriously injured. However, serious domestic violence against men is thought to be very under-reported because of social stigmas.
What does the criminal justice system do?
The criminal justice system has had difficulties in dealing with domestic violence. Victims are often reluctant to give evidence against their partners either because they are too frightened, or because there has been a reconciliation and they want to believe it will not happen again. Over the last few years there have been major improvements. Police in many areas have specialist staff who are able to work with people suffering domestic violence, offering them advice and information about where they can go to be safe and logging incidents even when no further action is taken so that a proper picture is built up of the extent of the problem.
Why don’t victims just leave?
Many victims do leave. But it isn’t as easy as it sounds. Victims may be threatened if they leave. Women leaving violent relationships often report being frightened that their abuser will find them and feel that they are constantly looking over their shoulder. Staying in the violent relationship, and coping with it, may seem a less terrifying option. There is also the problem of finding somewhere to go. According to government figures, women and children fleeing violence in the home account for 16% of those on local authorities’ homeless lists and 40% of all homeless women said that domestic violence was a factor in them becoming homeless.
Changing Attitudes
Part of the problem lies in the fact that attitudes about violence against women are so deeply ingrained. One major research study found that 1 in 2 boys and 1 in 3 girls find it acceptable to hit a woman in certain circumstances (e.g. if they nag).
Over half the young people knew someone who had been hit by their male partner and half knew someone who had been sexually assaulted.
Did you know?
In 2002 there were about 635,000 incidents of domestic violence in England and Wales. Of all reported violent assaults, domestic violence makes up about a fifth.
In 2001 42% of all female murder victims were killed by current or former partners, compared with only 4% of male homicide victims. This equates to 102 women; an average of 2 women each week.
1 in 4 women in Europe experience domestic violence over their lifetimes and between 6-10% of women suffer domestic violence in any given year.
Brief outline of the idea.
- Documentary, with interviews, facts and reconstructions of the violence.
- Informs the viewers and reaches out to those in violent relationships to talk to people, get help.
- Interviews with those convicted of domestic violence, how they felt when they were commiting it, why they did it, what happened in the end, what punishment they received and what help they had to try and overcome the urge to commit these offences.
http://www.rbwmdvf.org.uk/ – royal borough of windsor
http://www.womensaid.org.uk/
