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Issue Description
Domestic abuse affects over 350,000 people in England and Wales alone, but many myths still surround the issue. Some people do not realise that abuse does not mean only physical violence: it can also be verbal and emotional, and can impact seriously on any children present in the relationship in addition to the victim. This book looks at the impact of hidden domestic abuse on individuals and society.
The information comes from a wide range of sources and includes government reports and statistics, newspaper reports, features, magazine articles and surveys, literature from lobby groups and charitable organisations.
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Key Facts
- Domestic violence is very common: research shows that it affects one in four women in their lifetime. Two women a week are killed by their partners or former partners. All forms of domestic violence – psychological, financial, emotional and physical – come from the abuser’s desire for power and control over an intimate partner or other family members. (page 1)
- Blaming their behaviour on someone else, or on the relationship, their childhood, their ill health, or their alcohol or drug addiction is one way in which many abusers try to avoid personal responsibility for their behaviour. (page 2)
- More than eight million people are victims of domestic abuse, the British Medical Association has reported. (page 10)
- Although research shows that domestic violence affects mostly women, current statistics show that one in six men will be affected at some point in their lifetime. The British Crime Survey revealed that 19% of domestic violence incidents were reported to be male victims, with just under half of these having a female abuser. (page 12)
- More work is needed to raise awareness of domestic abuse in same-sex relationships, according to a new study. (page 13)
- The definition of domestic abuse includes forced marriage. (page 16)
- A report has found that the experience of watching, hearing or otherwise being aware of domestic violence can impact children’s physical, emotional and social development, both during childhood and later in life. (page 19)
- A new ICM survey commissioned by the End Violence Against Women campaign (EVAW) has found that 42% of young people know girls whose boyfriends have hit them and that 40% know girls whose boyfriends have coerced or pressurised them to have sex. (page 26)
- The government stands accused of failing in its pledges to tackle domestic abuse after it emerged that fewer than half of all men ordered to attend specialist programmes aimed at curbing their violent behaviour complete them. (page 35)
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Table of Contents
Chapter One: Domestic Violence
What is domestic violence?, Myths and stereotypes, How common is domestic abuse?, FAQs: why doesn’t she leave?, Domestic abuse – my story, Domestic abuse ‘epidemic’ affects 8m, Pregnant, but not immune from violence, Male victims of domestic violence, Domestic abuse in same-sex relationships, Same-gender abuse, Spyware: another weapon for domestic abuse, Forced marriage, Zena’s story.
Chapter Two: Abuse and Young People
Impact of domestic violence on children, Children and domestic violence, ‘I loved and hated my father then; I love and hate him still’, Domestic violence statistics, Gender violence among teenagers.
Chapter Three: Tackling Abuse
Options for domestic violence victims, Seeking help, When violence first hit home, Information for perpetrators, Pledge to cut domestic violence ‘has failed’, Rise in domestic violence convictions, So what’s the point of going to court?, Domestic violence register called for.
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The Study Guide for: Domestic Abuse - Volume 155
Each book in the Issues series has a study guide. These four-page guides provide a variety of discussion points and other activities to suit a wide range of ability levels and interests.
Publisher: Independence Educational Publishers
Price: £1.95
ISBN: 978 1 86168 460 8