Domestic Violence: the issue explained

Domestic violence is a complex issue which affects every one of us. With one
woman in four physically abused by her partner at some point in her life, the
likelihood is we all know someone who lives with the terrifying threat of abuse.
Domestic violence - physical or emotional abuse - reaches every corner of our
society. It does not respect class, race, religion, culture or wealth. A working
class mother on a run-down estate is just as likely to be abused as a
professional woman used to managing teams of staff and making millionpound decisions.
Overwhelmingly domestic violence is experienced by women and the
perpetrator is male. Yet although in the vast majority of cases it is male to
female, we should recognize that men, children and the elderly can be abused,
and that domestic violence also occurs in gay and lesbian relationships.
The cost to society is staggering. In London a minimum of 278m is spent
each year responding to domestic violence, without even taking into account
medical and legal costs. And then there are the lost days at work, the increase
in truancy levels, the rise in juvenile crime.
Confusion over the causes of domestic violence only serves to divert attention
from the severity of the problem. The myths abound but the reality is that
domestic violence is not caused by alcohol, drugs, unemployment or stress. It
is the result of a complex interplay of psychological and social factors which
have created an imbalance of power between the sexes. Where there is an
imbalance of power, it may be abused, and it is this, coupled with society's
tolerance, which has allowed domestic violence to flourish.
Every time the police fail to charge an abuser, every time a case is dropped by
the crown prosecution service, every time we turn a blind eye to our
neighbour's bruises, we make it easier for the abuser to get away with it. We
must remember that domestic violence is a serious crime which should be
treated as such. It should be at least as unacceptable as drink-driving.

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The last few years have seen an increase in the government's efforts to tackle
abuse. A number of guidelines have been published, research has been
commissioned, awareness is being raised. Yet this can only ever be a first step
and the danger is that it will not translate into action. Any effective response
to domestic violence has to take the form of a truly integrated central strategy
which crosses government departments, the police, health and housing
departments and every agency which can play a key role in tackling the
problem.
To date the response to domestic violence has been piecemeal and patchy. The
key element to achieving a consistent approach is funding. Domestic violence
is an issue which has been woefully under-funded for decades and there is still
a reliance on the voluntary sector to provide vital, life-saving services.
With a domestic violence incident occurring every six to 20 seconds in the UK,
it is in all our interests to seek effective, long-lasting solutions.