NCJ Number
205515
Date Published
June 2003
Length
72 pages
Annotation
This paper examines the nature of domestic violence and outlines the United Kingdom’s strategy for combating it.
Abstract
Following the Executive Summary, part 1 offers an introduction that examines the prevalence and nature of domestic violence, as well as its impact on victims and society in general. The Government’s strategy for combating domestic violence is threefold: prevention, protection and justice, and support for victims. Part 2 focuses on the prevention component of the strategy and discusses the Government’s actions to educate people in order to change attitudes toward domestic violence; to provide assistance for victims with the goal of preventing the violence from recurring; and to provide assistant to victims in gaining access to support and legal services. Risk factors for domestic violence are discussed, including substance misuse and pregnancy. Part 3 focuses on the protection and justice component of the Government’s strategy and discusses issues concerning an effective police response to domestic violence victims. Improving the criminal justice response to domestic violence is an important part of this strategy, as is ensuring that victims are treated with respect at all stages of the criminal justice process. Civil and criminal laws should carry the maximum protection to victims to ensure the violence stops and laws on domestic violence homicide should be improved. Children in domestic violence situations also deserve protection; child contact arrangements in these cases should be conducted in a manner that ensures the safety of all parties. Part 4 focuses on the support component of the Government’s strategy to combat domestic violence. The range of accommodation options should be increased, including more refuges, assistance for victims to remain in their own homes where possible, and better access to information. Victims and their children also need help rebuilding their lives after they have left a violent relationship. Annex A presents a listing of issues on which the Government would welcome public comment and opinion; the Government is particularly interested in hearing from victims of domestic violence and from those in agencies that regularly come into contact with victims and perpetrators of domestic violence. Annex