Domestic Violence: Social Policy and Social Change.
Domestic violence is a complex social problem that has been present for centuries but has been seen as a private family matter, kept behind closed doors and ignored. In the past it was legitimate for a man to use any means to control his wife including force and violence. ( Dallos 1993). Women suffered in silence due to long standing beliefs and practises that reinforced a man’s right to beat his wife. Society was structured for male supremacy and dominance over the women, where women were dependant on men for shelter and basic requirements. The legal system frequently treated victims of domestic violence as somehow responsible for their victimisation. There was no law or proper protection for women.
With the emergence of the Feminist Movement and campaigns by other women’s groups such as Women’s Aid in the 1970’s the issue of gender oppression which included domestic violence became publicly recognised and a prominent social issue. “Domestic violence in all its forms is a violation of a woman’s human rights”(CEDAW 1979). Domestic violence is a brutal crime that must not be ignored.
”Two women are killed by their current or former partner every week”(Sandra Horley, OBE. Refuge).
Statistics show that one in four women experience domestic violence in their lifetime. A huge price is being paid for domestic violence not just for all the victims but also for all of society. Research carried out by Professor Sylvia Walby in 2004 estimated that domestic violence is costing the UK £23 billion a year. Has government taken the necessary steps and approach to ensuring that domestic violence in today’s society be recognised as unacceptable?
What do we mean when we speak of ‘Domestic violence? There are a number of definitions but the definition below is the core definition which government and its agencies, and also the Association of Police Officers agree on to support common understanding of its meaning....