8/3/2019 What Id Somestic Violence[1]

1/2

0513466

What is Domestic Violence?

Domestic violence as, any violence which is initiated between current and former partners in an

intimate relationship, whether it be physical, sexual, emotional and financial abuse(Home Office ).1Constructive research establishes that it affects one in four women in their lifetime.2 In addition,

The 1993 United Nations World Conference on Human Rights described violence as any act of

gender based violence resulting or likely to result in harm to women, and occurring in the family,

within the general community, and perpetrated or condoned by the state.3

Who are the victims of domestic violence?

Jenkins et al. (2001) suggest that it is principally women who are from poor and uneducated

backgrounds that tend to be victims of domestic violence4. In addition, Jenkins et al., (2001) indicate

that several studies have found that diverse women and women living in poverty are at higher risk of

violence of all types specifically for severe and life threatening assaults. Furthermore, Jenkins et al.,

(2001) state that a report taken from the National Crime Victimization Survey (1992-1996) revealed

that there was no statistical differentiation between Black, White, Hispanic and Non-Hispanic women

1 G Douglas & N Lowe Bromleys Family Law (10th Ed) ( Oxford University Press, NewYork, 2006) 212.2 .ibid.13T Skinner, M Hester & E Malos (eds) Research in Gender Violence: Feminist Methodology

in Action (Willan Publishing, Devon, 2005)2.4 P J Jenkins & B P Davidson Stopping Domestic Violence: How a community can preventspousal abuse (Kulwer Academic, London, 2001) 59.

1

8/3/2019 What Id Somestic Violence[1]

2/2

0513466

who suffered at the hand of domestic violence5. Additionally, Davies et al., (2005) furthermore

suggest that women were more likely to have been attacked by their present or former partners these

reported incidents had accounted for 80%, while only 47% of assaults on men were by existing or

previous partners, half of the assaults were perpetrated by other members of the family and other

relatives. 6

Mirrlees-Black has reported findings that 3.9% Indian and 4.3% Pakistani/Bangladeshi women suffer

at the hands of domestic violence; nevertheless it has been shown that men are less likely to be the

victims of domestic violence.7

Anitha (2008) states8that women of ethnic origins specifically women from India, Pakistan and

Bangladesh may suffer from domestic violence not only at the hands of their husbands, but also from

other members of the family and what prevents them from leaving is the thought of being stigmatized

and dishonouring their family.

Some of these women have travelled to England to be with their fianc. But these women would have

an apprehensive immigration status and due to this issue Asian women stay in the relationship and

tolerate domestic violence, these women would either have to tolerate the domestic abuse or return to

the country of origin and face abuse from their families.

5 .ibid.59.6 M Davis, H,Croall, & J,Tyrer, Criminal Justice: Introduction to the Criminal Justice Systemin England and Wales (Pearson Education Limited, Essex, 2005) 56 .7 P Chana Domestic Violence: Impact of Culture and Experiences of Asian (Indian sub-continent) Women (Social Work Monographs, Norwich, 2005) 17.8

S Anitha Neither safety nor justice: the UK government reponse to domestic violenceagainst immigrant women (2008) 30 SL&FL189,190

2