Domestic violence is extremely common. The statistics speak for themselves. Almost 44% of all incidents reported by women to the British Crime Survey were domestic violence incidents. A number of local surveys in the UK show between 1 in 3 and 1 in 4 women report having suffered domestic violence at some time in their adult lives. Each year 45% of female homicide victims are killed by present or former male partners compared to 8% of male victims. On average 2 women per week are killed in England and Wales by their partners or ex-partners. As many as 1 in 3 marriages that end in divorce involve domestic violence.

For women, domestic violence may result in physical injury and permanent physical damage, in homelessness, loss of employment, loss of family, friends and children and importantly, in depression, attempted suicide and mental illness. Women may experience high levels of anxiety and panic attacks, or may develop disturbed patterns of eating and sleeping, problems in concentrating and a feeling of hopelessness.

Domestic violence can begin at any stage of a relationship and may continue long after the marriage or relationship has ended. Abuse can take many forms, not just physical attacks but also many other forms of controlling behaviour: bullying, forced sex, threats to kill, threats to hurt children, forced isolation from friends or family, and mental and verbal abuse and humiliation.

We all have a right to live free from fear and violence. If you feel frightened, humiliated, ashamed, alone and confused - don’t blame yourself.

There are a number of options available for getting protection from violence.

"If you are frightened of someone you know or live with, then you have a right to be protected under the law",

"There are a number of ways in which you can get help:

- Being assaulted by someone you know or live with is just as much a crime under the criminal law as violence from a stranger. You have a right to protection from the police and the courts.

- You can apply for a court order to tell your abuser to stop harassing or hurting you, or to keep him out of, or away from your home.

- If you are too frightened to stay at home, you can get help with emergency or temporary accommodation.

- The law can also help to protect your children and help you make safe arrangements for child contact."

Domestic violence is a problem in virtually all countries, cultures, classes and income groups. In Japan, the growing political influence of Japanese women was acknowledged earlier this year by the passage of the country’s first law on domestic violence. It is only in recent years, as the number of women in government and parliament and at work has grown, that Japan has begun to consider domestic violence as a social malaise. Since then it has quickly become apparent that the problem exists on an alarming scale. A recent survey by the municipal authorities in Osaka found that two-thirds of women reported physical abuse by their partners. A central government study last year found that 5% of wives feared for their lives, and one in seven had received medical treatment after being beaten by their husbands.

Domestic violence is a major national concern. Our judicial system can only play a small role in ending the cycle of family violence. Launching a drive against domestic violence, the Metropolitan police proposed a similar scheme to that in Cyprus be set up, where dedicated courts deal with cases from assault to child custody and divorce. They believe this would encourage more women to come forward - those who would otherwise be deterred by multiple hearings in different courts. The scheme, which was launched in January aims to make violent partners face up to their crimes by encouraging victims to come forward.

Closer to home, Darlington Borough Council, Durham Constabulary and the Darlington Domestic Violence Forum are working together on a new initiative to combat domestic violence and its effect in Darlington. The "Get on Board" bus advertising campaign was launched earlier this month. The campaign is planned to run for 6 months and will display a high profile image on the back of selected buses along with posters inside. It is hoped that this initiative will raise public awareness of the issues surrounding domestic violence and make the clear statement that domestic violence is a crime and will be treated as such.

If you are the victim of domestic violence then it is important to act quickly to protect yourself. Solicitors, the Police and social service agencies can be helpful in steering an individual toward counselling programmes available for victims of domestic violence. For more information or a confidential interview please contact Kay Wimhurst at Close Thornton on 01325 466461.

For further information about this news release please contact Close Thornton Solicitors Marketing and Media Department. Tel: 01325 466461 or e-mail.

BACK