After examining previous research in the field of domestic violence abuse and social scrutiny, there has been interest in the cultural and social consequences, of the views and opinions people have over the topic of abuse within a relationship (Citizen Advice, 2015). What is relatively noticeable from this information, is an apparent trend towards those who have experienced these crimes and those who view these crimes but not necessarily experienced them personally. This information is from a reputable source and was published in the last five years.
In 2018, the number of people seeking help and support from the healthcare sectors and the criminal sectors such as the police and women's aid organizations, who supply support to women of all ages, gender, and sexual orientations through outreach services, including counseling services and a safe place to stay such as a refuge, is increasing by the day(Gov, 2018). The data that was collected throughout 2018, was also published in 2018, making it very current. The data from this article was sourced from the United Kingdom government website which is considered a reliable source.
The evidence gathered from the research gate in the year 2020, suggests ‘there is a lot of controversy in relation to gender surrounding this subject’. Especially in terms of the attitude of the general public on the topic, which is concerning. This data appears relevant as it was collected in 2019 and published in 2020. This information would appear to be valid and is utilized by reliable sources.
In addition, ‘The victims love the batterer… the batterer is not always violent’ (Lapd, 2020). According to LAPD, there are many reasons why domestic violence victim stays with their abusive partners. The victim may be dependent on said batterer, so that person will not leave them. There are situational and emotional factors as to why they stay with them. Also, the Stockholm or Hostage Syndrome may be keeping them there. This is when women feel locked into a hostage syndrome, hence why they stay in an abusive relationship. They are bonded together when the abuser shows even the smallest kindness to the victim, they then become extremely grateful towards them. This information is considered reliable as it comes from a receptacle source, it is also relevant as it was collected and published in 2020.
‘One of the questions we hear time and time again is why doesn’t she just leave?’ (Women’s Aid, 2020). Women’s aid believes that society should stop blaming the survivors for staying with an abusive partner and instead support them; which will enable them to leave. There are many reasons why they struggle to leave – be this psychological, emotional, financial, or physical threat. They believe society should empower women to make the best decisions for them. This data appears relevant as it was published in 2020. This information would appear to be valid and is utilized by a reliable source.
‘Domestic abuse can happen to anyone at any time. A woman or man can commit domestic abuse and they usually appear to be good, loving partners, fathers or mothers and are well liked’ (Cambridge, 2021). Cambridge Constabulary has a section on its official page with guidance on domestic violence. This explains how men and women can be abusers and they can come across as if they are perfectly ordinary members of society and even well-liked. Online domestic abuse on social media platforms, according to them, has become more used in domestic violence cases than ever before. The abuser monitors the victim’s social media accounts, and emails and watches for everything posted including pictures and messages. They even use GPS to keep track of their partners. This information is very current as it was updated in 2021 and provided by Cambridgeshire Constabulary which is a UK-based police department who are considered a credible source.
From March 2019 to March 2020, the Crime Survey for England and Wales showed that an estimated 2.3 million adults aged 16 to 74 years experienced domestic abuse in the last year (1.6 million women and 757,000 men). The police recorded 758,941 domestic abuse-related crimes in England and Wales, an increase of 9% from the previous year. Are victims feeling more confident in reporting their abusers? Or are the police just documenting these incidences better than in previous years? The cases of domestic abuse referrals to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for a charging decision, fell 19% to 79,965, which was previously 98,470 from the year ending March 2019 (Statistics, 2020). This is a credible source and the information is current as it was published in 2020.
‘We know from our work, and the work of the Women’s Aid Federation of services, that domestic abuse is very common. However, this is often difficult to accurately quantify’ (Women’s Aid, 2019). Women’s Aid has created a page to understand where the data for the statistic of domestic abuse comes from. According to them, there are two ways of collecting data; firstly, using data that has come from other means, for example, figures from reported crimes or prosecutions, or for court orders made. Secondly, asking people directly about the issue – for example, experiences that may have occurred to them related to the crime. This is a reptile source and the information within it is current as it was published in 2019.
‘Men died at the hands of their partner or ex-partner compared with 80 women, according to the Office of National Statistics (ONS) data (DCDV, 2019). The National Centre for Domestic Violence has an article dedicated to domestic violence against men. When looking for research on domestic violence it tends to always come up with women as the victims, it seems to be that men are overlooked. However, according to NCDV, 3.8% of victims in 201819 were men, just under 800,000. As Mankind points out: “For every three victims of domestic abuse, two will be female, one will be male.” (Mankind, 2018). Divorced separated men are actually more likely to suffer domestic abuse than men who are married. These statistics are from a reliable source and the information is very current as it was published in 2019.
In addition, Men who experience domestic violence and abuse often don’t seek help until the problem becomes a crisis (Mathius, 2019). This information is concerning, as based on this information men tend to worry they would not be believed, or that they would be perceived as less masculine if they reported abuse. This data is credible and is also up to date as it was published in 2019.
A study conducted by researchers at Bristol University found that men are often not aware of specialist support services. Also, the men who participated in this study, felt that the support available was not appropriate for male victims of abuse. It also recorded that men were afraid to speak and only sought help when their situation reached a critical point (Bristol University, 2019). This source has come from a respectable university, making the data extremely reliable and trustworthy. It is also current as it was conducted in 2019.
The biggest myth about domestic violence, emotional abuse, and sexual abuse is that it does not happen to men. However, nothing could be further from the truth. These attacks can happen to anyone regardless of age, gender, appearance, or sexual orientation. An abuser can be male or female, gay or straight, and of any ethnic background (Gottlieb, 2021). This is sourced by a professional therapist working in the industry of domestic violence, making this a credible source. Also, it has been updated in the past two weeks making this information very current.
It's important to understand that children are absolutely and categorically victims of domestic violence themselves. When a child is subject to these behaviors, by their parent's carers they are being subjected to child abuse. It's important to understand that living in a home, where domestic abuse happens, can have a serious impact on a child or young person's mental and physical wellbeing, as well as their behavior. And this can last into adulthood. The police have a duty of care to report crimes of domestic abuse to social services when they attend to this type of incident and children are present. They have a duty of care not only to the adult victims but to protect the child children who are also victims (NSPCC, 2021). This data is from a receptacle source and the information within it is current as it was published in 2020 and updated in 2021.