Domestic Violence Is there an increase on Domestic Violence in the U.K
More pronounced cases of domestic violence have been reported by women victims. To assert that women experience domestic violence more than men, research indicates that women commonly experience domestic violence perpetrated by men. According to BCS report 2009, any woman regardless of disability, race, ethnic, class or lifestyle can experience domestic violence. It is revealed also that incidences of domestic violence do take place in transgender, lesbian, bi-sexual and gay relationships, and also other family members may be involved like children.
The quest to find out whether there is an increase in domestic violence in the UK is a significant topic worth of research in the sense that BCS estimates 12.9 million incidents of domestic violence acts that comprise of force or non-sexual threats against women. While 2.5 million cases of domestic violence involved men in Wales and England. This is a number that cannot be ignored, rather ignited motive for research on various mechanisms that constructs the causal for the occurrence of the crime and ways of preventing excessive damage to our society.
In this regard, this paper shall seek to explore domestic violence prevalence and trace its occurrence over years to determine whether there has been an increase in the acts of domestic violence.
All over the world, there have been many debates on domestic violence in the recent past especially due to the conspicuous neglect the subject has been accorded by health professionals. Domestic violence refers to any form of sexual, financial, physical, and psychological violence that takes place in the context of family or intimate relationships in form of controlling and coercive behavior. In fact, domestic violence poses a daunting challenge to our society social work arena with respect to its magnitude and frequency. With respect to prevalent frequency, BCS estimates that 12.9 million incidents of domestic violence acts comprise of force or non-sexual threats against women and 2.5 million cases of domestic violence involved men in Wales and England.
There are very few health care professionals who directly enquire on cases of domestic violence and even a majority of them rarely consider it as part of their diagnostic criterion. These trends are observable even at a time when a vast range of literature has been written on the subject. In the light of emerging awareness on the rising problem of domestic violence, health professionals and other practitioners have been keen to address the problem. In the UK, the government has taken note of this predicament and recognized domestic violence as a significant social health and criminal problem. Following this, there is an observable emphasis on the necessity for engaging health care practitioners in detecting cases of domestic violence, offering support to victims and collaborating with other agencies in providing care. However, this emphasis has not done much in elevating the amount of data collected on domestic violence incidence in the UK. Most of this information is collected in primary health care institutions but which have encountered major hurdles of late. Indeed, screening of all women seeking medical attention in both primary and secondary health care facilities has been made mandatory by health care organs in the UK. This strategy is however questionable, in that research has shown that most of these screenings do not necessarily meet required and valid screening procedures.
There has been little research carried out on the incidences and prevalence of domestic violence in the UK. Particular small studies have showcased lifetime prevalence of domestic violence of women at both 39 and 60 (Cooper et al, 1989). Community surveys carried out have indicated that 23 of women have experienced domestic violence from their partners and former partners, with even 4 of these occurrences taking place within the previous year (Mirrlees-Black, 1999). Outside the UK, the trends have been somewhat similar with reported lifetime prevalence being at the range of 12 to 46 with 6 to 28 of these occurrences taking place within the last year. There is a significant lack of concrete data of statistics of domestic violence in the UK and especially in most health care departments. From studies carried out in accident and emergency departments in the UK, it can be observed that the existing data is quite controversial and fails to capture the extent of domestic violence in the UK. This study recorded a 0.3 prevalence of acute trauma presented due to violence occurring at home and 22 of these cases were attributed to abuse by partners while 41 were unidentified (Baker et al, 1992).
Recent research has insisted that women are receptive to health care practitioners and are bound to disclose their predicaments to them. In turn, this allows them to take the opportunity to identify the problem, determine its extent and consequently offer the women vital information and support. Health care workers are therefore an important component of this research as they are likely to have direct contact with victims of domestic violence. More often than not, women experiencing domestic violence are not identified by health care workers and indeed there have not been investigations in the UK to determine the success of practitioners at recognizing incidences of domestic violence. It is not even known of the acceptability of screening procedures to women and this further heightens the existing research gap.
The following study is of great significance and its timely manner and appropriateness is justified. There is a high rate of reported incidences of domestic violence against women. High rates of domestic violence incidences can be seen in analysis of 10 separate domestic violence prevalence studies that found out that between 6-10 percent of women suffer domestic violence in a given year and 1 in 4 women experience domestic violence over their lifetimes (Donovan and Hester 2007). Moreover, statistics collected in counseling issues strongly indicated that domestic violence was the leading issue in marriage, of which clients sought counseling on. For instance, 1 in 5 counseling sessions in England Relate centres in 2008, 2000 clients mentioned domestic violence as an issue in their marriages. Donovan and Hester (2007) in their study reported that 45 percent and 26 percent of women and men had experienced at least one incident of domestic violence in the context of interpersonal relationships in their lifetimes respectively.
The UK police receive one call every minute about domestic violence. For instance, Donovan and Hester (2007) found out that an estimated 1,300 calls each day accounting for over 570,000 calls each year are made to the police concerning domestic violence. Although BCS shows that 40 percent of domestic crimes are reported to police. Therefore, if 1,300 calls per day account for domestic violence which is less than 40 percent of total occurrences, then it means that domestic violence is quite rampant. There is a significance rate of repeat victimization that is enough to raise the alarm for the subject to be studied and more effective interventions designed. In this regard, repeat victimization is common accounting to over 44 of domestic violence victims involved in more than one incident, which is the highest among all crimes. Furthermore, BCS self-completion module of 2008, found out that domestic violence victims are assaulted by perpetrators they know commonly women are sexually assaulted by men they know. In this module, when women were asked about the occurrence of their last domestic violence incidence, the response indicated that 45 of women were assaulted by current partners, 9 of women were raped by former husbands or partners, 29 of women were assaulted by perpetrators that were known to the victim, and only 17 of women respondents were assaulted by strangers.
In a more shocking revelation, Edwards (2001) studied 200 women and their experience in relations to domestic violence and found out that more than 60 percent of these women left because they feared either their children or themselves may be killed by the perpetrator. Additionally, the Department of Health (2005) estimates an average of 2 women in a week are killed by ex-partners or a violent partner. As a result, this killing of women comprises of almost 40 of all female homicide victims (Donovan and Hester 2007).
The cost of the domestic violence to UK economy and burden to the English community cannot be sidelined. In this regard, the total cost of domestic violence as estimated by Donovan and Hester (2007) in terms of money is 23 billion per year. The 23 billion cost every year includes major areas as 3.1 billion state cost, 1.3 billion cost to employers, and 17 billion being cost of human suffering. Moreover, 1,220,247,000 (3 of total NHS budget) accounts the cost of physical healthcare to victims of domestic violence, 1 billion per year as cost to the criminal justice system among others. In addition to cost, 0.25 billion is the cost for the social services 0.16 billion housing costs, 0.3billion involves cost of civil legal services and cost of domestic homicide is estimated at 1, 097, 330 for each death, thus, giving a total of 112 million per year.
Clearly, the above cost of domestic violence cannot be neglected and if not well managed can lead to stagnant development as resources that are supposed to develop the nation are diverted towards domestic violence projects. However, statistics indicated above on the cost of domestic violence may be considered as an underestimation because the public service sector does not collect data showing how their services are being utilized as a result of domestic violence. For example, statistics are unavailable for the cost of domestic violence to education services, health and counseling sector, and the human cost to children.
Unfortunately, domestic violence is a very common occurrence. This is evident from high prevalence rates of domestic violence in the sense that 1 in 4 women are affected by domestic violence in their lifetimes regardless of class, age, disability, social, lifestyle or race. The common occurrence of domestic violence can also be shown by the total cost of domestic violence which is estimated by Donovan and Hester (2007) to be 23 billion per year. In this magnitude, domestic violence takes 16 of the total violent crimes recorded. More severely, in year 2006 there were 13 million incidences of violent crimes against women from former or current partners (Gore 2007).
Clearly, the high prevalence of domestic violence in the UK poses an imminent danger to the nations welfare. This research will provide ample insights on how domestic violence has been an integral part of the UK and the rampancy of its occurrence. This is generally in a bid to enlighten all people on this dire issue. The public is rarely made aware of such statistics and some individuals are rather ignorant and lack a knowhow on the issue of domestic violence. Perhaps if they were aware of the predicament, they would channel a part of their time and resources into fighting this societal vice. Furthermore, this research is of great implication to leaders and various governmental and nongovernmental sectors which are involved in ensuring the welfare of the public.
The police force which is engaged in enhancing the immediate security of the people in their jurisdiction has not impacted positively in eliminating domestic violence. Faced with the reality of the problem, they will be obliged to intervene on such scenarios and seek for the punishment of the perpetrators. In addition to discovering the direction of domestic violence trends in the UK, this paper also aims to capture the critical role played by social work practice in this predicament. Social workers are healthcare practitioners whose obligation is to serve those in need of their help. In line with domestic violence, they are mandated to offer intervention services for the victims. Indeed, for effective social work practice social workers need to comprehend the extent of domestic violence in the UK. This knowledge can act as a motivator which would in turn heighten their response to such incidences.
As part of constructing an in-depth analysis on the issue of domestic violence in the UK, this paper is structured into various segments. The initial evaluation will involve a discussion of the literature and research previously carried out on the topic. Following will be the research methodology used in analyzing literature and data on the incidences of domestic violence. Finally will be a discussion of findings from the literature research and its implications.
LITERATURE REVIEW
The literature reviewed in this paper was done by searching most recent and relevant materials on the topic with an aim of uncovering domestic violence incidences trends in the UK. Statistics on domestic violence are mainly drawn from British Crime Survey (BSC) reports. In the review, there is a study of materials regarding the signs of and the extent of domestic violence as discussed by Donovan and Hester (2007), Finey (2006) and Hester (2006). In a bid to develop a theoretical framework for domestic violence, Edwards (2001 2001b) underlie the possible theories which aid in understanding the issue at hand. The review will also assess prediction forms for domestic violence with Gore (2007) exemplifying the various scales used for measurement. Finally the review will address the issue of vulnerability to victimization with direct reference to Dobash and Dobash (2004) claim that no particular characteristic behaviors place women in a vulnerable position for victimization. In addition, it is rather logical to understand the impacts domestic violence has on women including both physical and psychological effects.
Domestic violence definitions vary in their inclusivity and have shifted over time. However, this definitional challenge helps in selecting a more viable definition for domestic violence. In this respect, Donovan and Hester (2007) defines domestic violence as violence committed by men against women in past or current intimate relationships, which consist of constellation of controlling and abusive behaviours aiming at establishing orand maintaining dominance and power. The incidences of domestic violence include acts of sexual and physical assaults, threats and intimidation, use of male privilege, minimisation and victim blaming, coercion, sexual objectification, humiliation and degradation, using children, and deprivation. Moreover, domestic violence has been defined to include the scope of both sub-criminal and criminal acts that are believed to subordinate norms of certain universal cultures and infringe on a wide range of universal human rights. This is not different from UK government which defines domestic violence as Any incident of threatening behaviour, violence or abuse in form of financial, psychological, sexual, physical or emotional natures between persons who have been or are family members or intimate partners regardless of their sexuality or gender
However, the controversial issue within social policy circles remains to be whether or not domestic violence is a crime or not. In regard to this issue, Donovan and Hester (2007) argues that domestic violence usually comprises of different behaviors and consequences, therefore, domestic violence cannot be classified as a single criminal offence. However, the many forms of domestic violence are crimes punishable by law. These crimes include criminal damage, rape, harassment, imprisonment and assault. Therefore, any crime committed by the perpetrators that is indicative of domestic violence is a crime and should be punishable by law.
Signs of domestic violence
According to Finney (2006), cites reasons for domestic violence occurrence are highly dependant on the perpetrators desire for control and power over other intimate partners or family members. In working with the community to empower them on domestic violence, there is need to inform on the tentative signs that are associated with domestic violence. In any given relationship whether a family relationship or intimate relationship, any form of verbal abuse or destructive criticism and manifested by excessive accusing, shouting, name calling or verbal threats are early indicators of the domestic violence.
Additionally, pressure tactics such as threatening to withhold money, attempts to commit suicide, disconnect the telephone, sulking, telling victims that they have no choice in the making of any decisions, taking the car away, lying to your friends and family about them, and taking the children away. Disrespect incidences that are demonstrated by interruption of telephone calls, not responding or listening when partners are talking are signs of domestic violence. Isolation behaviours like blocking or monitoring telephone calls, and preventing a partner from seeing either relatives or friends.
Harassment behaviors such as following a partner, opening partners mail, checking up on partners, repeatedly checking a partners phone to see who has telephoned or messaged or worst forms which involve embarrassment in public. Threats such as wielding a knife or a gun, using physical size to intimidate, destruction of a partners possession, and making angry gestures are indicators of harassment leading to domestic violence. Other signs of domestic violence include sexual violence, physical violence and denial. Therefore, as social workers inform the society about the signs that lead to domestic violence will ensure that the society especially women are empowered to prevent the occurrence of violence to escalating stages (Hester 2006). Furthermore, social workers themselves can be in a position to detect these signs and seek to intervene earlier on within the communities which they serve.
The extent of domestic violence
The extent of domestic violence is a far more pervasive experience for women victims than it may be indicated by police statistics. However, efforts that are needed to estimate its actual occurrence and prevalence is hampered by methodological challenges and reluctance of women, men or children to disclose orand report abuse due to loyalty, embarrassment or fear. In the UK there is no dedicated national survey dealing with collecting, recording, analyzing and disseminating statistics related to domestic violence and violence against women.
However, the British crime surveys (BCS) reports that 1 in 4 women experience domestic violence over their lifetimes (BCS). Many of the abused women usually struggle and put violence committed to them behind by abandoning their intimate relationship. But the current situation indicates that domestic violence is a quite substantial issue for many women. According to BCS report 2006, 1 in 25 of women were involved in non-sexual assaults, 3 in 4 of these victims reported victimization in the previous year and 3 in 4 women reported to be injured in the last year. 1 in 17 of the women was exposed to the control of their movements and financial abuse. Psychological and sexual violence are reported to have a higher lifetime prevalence estimated at 30-40 percent. In most cases of domestic violence reported to public agencies they involve male perpetrators and female victims. Although, domestic violence is pervasive and more pronounced, only a handful of these cases are reported to community agencies or the police. For instance, in the year 2006, BCS managed to pick only 11 of domestic violence incidences in that year.
Dynamics and Theories of domestic violence
Scholars have agreed that there a number of appropriate theories that are applicable in explaining domestic violence victimization and perpetration. In this regard, most theories that explain the dynamics and origins of domestic violence are drawn from traditions, social learning and learning theories, inter-personal theories, socio-structural and feminist theories, developmental theories, and personality theories (Edwards 2001b). However, in order to give a more compelling and meaningful explanation to the domestic violence incidences, an integrated approach is normally employed that combines ideas and methods derived from accepted models.
At an inter-personal level, domestic violence is suggested to begin within the first few years of a relationship (Edwards 2001). In this case of physical abuse, psychological abuse usually precedes then followed later on by assault. Most forms of threats are a typical tactic used to gain control or compliance. While cases of sexual abuse rarely occur in a relationship that is not physically violent. Research approaches such as live observation, has noted that violent men are distinguished from other men in both harmonious and non-harmonious relationships by their demanding, controlling and critical behaviour in interactions with their partners, to whom they are contemptuous, belligerent, domineering and defensive.
Prediction of domestic violence
The UK community has devised a number of domestic violence interventions. However, risk assessment is paramount to interventions using risk instruments like SARA. The most applied approach that women use to detect the risk of abuse from their male counterparts include taking into account of some risk factors such as a partners changes in the relationship, drinking levels, and subtle cues that are instrumental in telling a partners behaviors and moods. Moreover, women are encouraged to use their feelings of intuition or anxiety to detect the risk of danger. Once a victim detects fear of danger, it should be acted upon immediately, even if the later outcome does not indicate significant risk. However, predicting the occurrence of domestic violence based on static factors is hard. In this regard, accuracy of prediction has been improved by domestic violence-specific risk assessment instruments such as Propensity for Abusiveness Scale (PAS), the US Danger Assessment Scale (DAS) completed by prospective victims, and the Canadian SARA (Gore 2007).
Vulnerability to victimization
Dobash and Dobash (2004) states in cases of domestic violence recorded so far, there is no or little evidence that the victimisation of abused women was contributed by their personalities or behavior. Dobash and Dobash (2004) continue to cite that abused women are less self-absorbed, emotionally mature and sensitive than their non victimized counterparts. Therefore, any observable form of dysfunctional behavior exhibited by the victimized women is a result of incidence of abuse rather than cause for the abuse.
Despite these consequential rather causal indicators, there are certainly accepted factors that lead to increased risk of victimization due to their ability to hamper abused womens abilities to take any action regarding the violence. These factors are women victims under the age of 25 who have been observed to be mostly at risk. Evidence from post separation abuse indicates that 1 in 3 womens victimization continues at post separation period, worsens, or transforms to another form like stalking. Divorced or separated couples, child contact and visitation arrangements have been cited to be most opportunistic for perpetrators to access their victims.
Dobash and Dobash (2004) cite that women, who reunite with violent men, increase their risk of victimization. Additionally, unemployed women or disabled women or women living in poverty are likely to be victimized or abused. In other cases, women who earned less income compared to their spouses were more vulnerable than those who were earning almost or equal salaries with their partners. Thus, income inequalities between partners can increase the risk of victimization. Other risk factors have been cited to be the period during pregnancy especially when it is resented by a man orand uplanned, higher rates of alcohol or drug, and social isolation can be as a result of the perpetrators controlling behavior or jealousy.
Impact of domestic violence to women
There are various impacts of domestic violence to women which can be addressed in terms of physical and psychological harm. There is an increase on the death toll linked to domestic violence in terms of foetal deaths, homicides and suicides, and miscarriages. Abused women who survive death end up with numerous injuries to the breast, neck, head, thorax, face, and abdomen. Moreover, other impacts include permanent disability, neurological problems, chronic pain syndromes, eye gastro-intestinal problems resulting form stress or ulcers and damage. Postnatal and antenatal care is negatively affected by the controlling behavior of abusive partners because it hampers access and implementation of health services.
Other observations indicate that domestic violence has detrimental effects on the womens mental health. In regard to mental health, abused women are likely to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, alcohol and substance dependency, and suicide. In addition to that, other mental effects are in terms of memory and perception problems, eating disorders, anxiety disorders, sleep disorders, intense fearfulness, low self-esteem, phobias, lack of trust in others, panic attacks, feelings of guilt, and experiences of negative emotions (Dobash et al. 2000).
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND PROCEDURE
Introduction
This section of the paper relates to a justified and very informed account of the manner in which the research was approached. In a bid to develop a holistic research, the research methodology employed will include both qualitative and quantitative elements in order to assess possible trends of domestic violence, while at the same time looking into experiences and perceptions of issues in a more detailed manner. This chapter will thus address particular methods which were used in the research study right from the beginning till the end. The roles played by both primary and secondary data have also been stipulated with regard to the research question addressed. The manner of data collection and analysis has also been discussed with the conceptualization of reliable conclusions justified. All this has been carried out with a clear reflection of the research design utilized in the study.
Quantitative data collection, samples and analysis
The quantitative research approach is useful in providing baseline data, and further data for constructing the profile and outcomes of cases (Corby 2006). Quantitative data aims at analyzing the frequency and nature of domestic violence incidents that are reported to the police within a given location and later generalised. In this regard, a range of incident data waswould be within chosen location to be used in analysis. Quantitative data is significant in this research mostly because the study aims at evaluating the trends of domestic violence. As such any indicator whether of a positive or negative implication will require tangible data for correlation purposes.
Qualitative data collection, samples and analysis
The purpose of qualitative research approach is to collect professional data as well as on the field data from victims. In this regard, questionnaires will be distributed to professionals from a vast range of sectors. Some of the professionals and institutions that will be used are court and legal professionals such as judicial and administrative personnel from the county and magistrates courts, representatives from HMCS, CPS solicitors, family lawyers, the police Community Support Unit (CSU), witness Support, local Family Justice Centre, the local Family Justice Centre, advocates can also take part on behalf of victimssurvivors to give their views, the police, Victim Support, and Witness Support.
Questionnaire
The choice of questionnaires as a data collection tool was arrived at after a close and in-depth consideration of the research goals and the target group. A questionnaire was regarded as appropriate due to its direct response nature. Affirmative and negative responses will be used in confirming or dissuading the assumption of increased rates of domestic violence in the UK. Random sampling was largely used in selecting the research participants especially as the study aimed at analyzing data from an extensive representation of the entire population. Victim opinions would be collected through the planned distributive questionnaires among random groups of victims. In addition to the questionnaires, other online sources of information, journals, books, written articles and magazines have also been utilized in the data collection process (Rigas, 2001). The complexities in the justice system, security checkups involved, the bureaucracy and the busy schedules of the target population can best be addressed through the use of questionnaires in the data collection efforts (Rugg and Petre 2007).
Questionnaires are inexpensive, they do not require as much effort from the respondent as verbal or telephone surveys, and often has standardized answers that make it simple to compile data. Nevertheless, there are also limitations to the use of questionnaires. Indeed, their standardized nature often frustrates respondents due to the numerous details addressed. Furthermore, there is a possibility that not all selected participants would readily and timely respond to the questionnaires. This element prompts the creation of contingency measures for ensuring that the sample still meets the expectations of the research.
Questionnaire Drafting
A questionnaire with both open ended and closed ended questions were used in the collection of data from the research sample from victims, and professionals within social work sections. Questionnaires drafting was done with a clear understanding of the diversity of the people in the criminology community and the target goals of the research. The questions used had different sets of questions that targeted the respondents in different formats. The questions addressed to victims included whether they had encountered domestic violence in the past year, who had been the perpetrator, whether they reported the incidence and if so, whether they received help. Also, they were expected to answer to the claim that the judicial system and health care practitioners were addressing domestic violence effectively. Other aspects of domestic violence addressed by the questionnaire included women being asked to consider whether they had to be careful with their verbal and non verbal reactions when it came to their partners behaviors. They were also asked to describe their attitudes towards being questioned by health care practitioners on their problem.
With the aim of providing more information on both trends and implications of domestic violence, police officers, advocates and social workers were presented with different questionnaires. These questionnaires addressed how often these professionals encountered domestic violence. Also whether they felt that domestic violence incidences were being tackled effectively. They were also asked to comment on their perceived roles in the prevention and elimination of domestic violence in the UK. The reliability of this data would be compromised by other unavoidable factors like personal opinions, which would hinder their impartiality.
Data Collection Process
Data was collected through various methods. The major process of data collection was through administration of questionnaires. In addressing the various issues related to the research question two types of data was collected. Primary data and the secondary data collected served different roles even though the ultimate purpose of the two type research approaches employed to give in depth analysis of domestic violence issues.
Role of Primary Data
Even though questionnaires were used in the data collection process, the primary data collected played a very fundamental role in addressing the major research questions. The research question, trends in frequency and occurrence of domestic violence was asked to professionals. This research question was best addressed using the primary data collected. The primary source of data also enabled the researcher to get the most recent set of information that would help doing the comparison between the past sources of data and the most recent.
Role of Secondary Data
Secondary data that was availed played a very important role towards reaching the research conclusion. Detailed study of information retrieved from secondary sources such as journals, information on various websites, information in the national archives, and various books written on domestic violence in UK. The information also played a crucial role in identifying the various roles played by various stakeholders in addressing all the issues related to domestic violence in UK. Secondary data used in the research included reports such as the British crime surveys (BCS) reports.
The researcher used a questionnaire and stored data for the gathering of data needed in identifying issues and trends of domestic violence in UK. This information was important to construction of the paper and presentation of concluding remarks. The process involved the following sub categories
Sample Size and Sampling Strategies
Purposive sampling strategy was employed in determining the sample population to be used in the research process. In the final analysis and sampling of the data collected, the sample population was divided into subgroups for each of the sampling process. Only random sampling strategy was used. This method is the simple, most effective, efficient and generally the best method of drawing a sample from the population. Quota sampling strategy was also used in situations where the use of random sampling strategy was impossible. In very rare cases, stratified methods of sampling were used to ensure that large enough samples were used and subdivided on important variables.
The sample of women in this study consisted mainly of those patients who had sought medical care within the time stipulated for data collection. Women eligible to undertake the research had to be over 15 years of age and were in a capacity to communicate in English, Turkish or Bengali which were the languages used in administering the questionnaire. The data collected on the exposure or any suspicions of domestic violence occurrences were well documented in the practitioners records. Thus from the overall data, a random sample of 1207 medical records was retrieved thus forming the basis for data analysis.
Instruments Used For Data Collection
Questionnaires were the major instrument of data collection used. Library findings were also used. To reduce the overall cost of the research process, electronic mailing system was utilized in sending the soft copy of the questionnaires to the prospective study sample. In most cases, this was accompanied by a brief introductory letter with request that the questionnaire be complicated in a timely manner as specified. Indeed emailed questionnaires were utilized for administering the questionnaire to far flank research participants in locations which could not be reached in a cost effective manner.
It was important that ethical considerations be made during the data collection process. When interacting with victims of domestic violence, it is advisable to trend carefully and with respect. It is in this light that I contacted research participants after consulting their social work attendants and sought approval. Even then, the questionnaire detailed an appreciative remark on their will in taking part in the research. Furthermore, participants were allowed privacy while answering their questionnaires in the clinical setting. One limitation of the methodology used was the inability to empirically evaluate the validity of the data collected. However, insistence on a large sample of participants presumed the accrual of substantial results. The data collected will be presented to social work practitioners for use in the development of intervention measures. Furthermore, this data seeks acknowledgement from all involved individuals who can offer further insight to the issue of Domestic violence in the UK.
FINDINGS AND CONCLUSION
Introduction
The above research study sought to discover whether there is an increase of domestic violence in the UK. In addressing this issue the paper reviewed various aspects associated with domestic violence and its prevalence. The aspects included signs of domestic violence, the extent of the same, prediction, vulnerability to victimization and the impact of domestic violence on women. The main reason why the study addressed these aspects was because both victims of domestic violence and social workers need to be enlightened on the issue. For victims or potential victims, it helps to be aware of the possibilities of risk to domestic violence. This can aid in implementing preventive measures. As earlier stated the initial assumption of the study was that there is an increasing trend of domestic violence in the UK. This same view is reflected after the study especially as the literature review and study outcomes indicate similar conclusions. BCS estimates that 12.9 million incidents of domestic violence acts comprises of force or non-sexual threats against women and 2.5 million cases of domestic violence involved men in Wales and England. Moreover, it is a shocking revelation that 1 in 4 women suffer domestic violence within a year.
Data Analysis
Information derived from the data collected was gathered for analysis and was recorded using a double entry method. SPSS method of data analysis was applied to the recorded information. In identifying demographic variables for domestic violence incidences, logistic regression analyses were conducted. In order to derive the best possible outcome of the research all forms of violence against women by their partners were included. Domestic violence incidences were calculated with limitations to the last twelve months. The data collected would be used to ascertain the assumed prevalence of domestic violence at 15. In total, the number of participants recruited was 1300 but only a total of 1207 questionnaires were analyzed.
Total number of questionnaires administered 1300
Valid questionnaires for analysis1207
Prevalence of Domestic Violence
The overall results of the studies indicated that 530 (43) of 1207 women had ever experienced any form of physical violence from their current or former partners. In total, 800 (66) of the 1207 women had experienced any other forms of controlling behaviors from their partners and 300 (24) of them had been threatened. When the respondents were asked whether they thought they had experienced domestic violence 400 (33) responded positively. This was however a slightly smaller figure compared to those who claimed to have experienced physical violence. Within the last year, women who had experienced physical violence from a partner or former partner were 241 (20) and only 483 (40) of the respondents had ever felt afraid of their current or former partners. Based on the responses from the 1207 valid questionnaires only 250 (20) had ever had injuries or bruises from violent partners. These results have been clearly indicated in Table 1.
In a bid to capture the extent to which women are exposed to domestic violence, there were evident risk factors from the data collected. From the sample collected, it was showcased that women who had been recently divorced, separated, pregnant within the previous 12 months, under the age of 45, and unemployed recorded higher prevalence of domestic violence. This led to conclusion that they were more prone to domestic violence. The number of women experiencing domestic violence in this study tended to indicate an upward trend in comparison with other research studies. With the prevalence rate assumed to be at 15, the findings showcased the prevalence rates for domestic violence to be twice as much as the assumed rate. In response to direct questions of having experienced domestic violence, women responded on the lower percentile as opposed to questions on their encounters with physical violent partners. This observable discrepancy can be attributed to the fact that most women find it difficult to acknowledge the presence of domestic violence in their relationships. Another cause could be because there are various contests on the definitions of domestic violence and there are women who are not aware of them.
Table 1. Prevalence of Domestic Violence. Total Responses 1207
Form of AbusePositive ResponsesNo.Controlling behavior by partner Shouted, screamed, or swore at you80066Do you think you have ever experienced domestic violence40033Physical violence in the past twelve months24120Have you ever felt afraid of your partner48340Any physical violence53043Threatening behavior by partner30024Tried to control you in any other way not involving physical violence36230Overall Prevalence for Domestic Violence36.57
Even though the study utilized a sample of above 1000 respondents, it is still not possible to conclude whether the derived results were an underestimations or overestimation of the prevalence. Medical records retrieved from health care centers were done so with consent from participants and while the participants could have been more, it was not ethical to coerce those who were reluctant. It is evident that for all women who visit various health care centers, one in every five women has suffered physical violence from a partner which shows that indeed domestic violence is a common problem in the UK.
Identification of women experiencing domestic violence
Strategies aimed at eliminating domestic violence require the prerequisite of being able to detect the presence of domestic violence. This is of great value especially to social workers and other health care practitioners who work closely with women in the UK. Women predisposed to domestic violence were found to be easily identified through the analysis of a combination of risk factors. Women who are divorced, separated, unemployed, under the age of 45, were found at a higher risk of experiencing domestic violence. These results were quite consistent with previous studies carried out by Mirrlees-Black (1999) who indicated that risk for domestic violence was high in women aged between 16 and 24, separated, in poor health and experiencing financial difficulties.
Under identification of domestic violence prevalence
From this research the results reflect notions from previous studies on the subject which indicate that a majority of women experiencing domestic violence are not identified in health care centers. The extent of this finding was not clearly observed but there is an indication that almost three quarters of these cases are not recorded in these centers.
Key findings from the literature review include the fact that both the judicial and social work fraternities encountered numerous limitations which hindered their capacity for intervention on domestic violence incidences. As such, social workers might not have had ample research literature on the extent of the problem which might prompt their reluctance in responding to domestic violence incidences. Indeed, from the data collected, a majority of social workers indicated that they were not aptly equipped in handling domestic violence intervention scenarios. Following this claim, there is a need to emphasize a comprehensive teaching program for social workers with an aims of enhancing their skill capabilities for responding to domestic violence.
This research in its ability to indicate increased trends of domestic violence will prompt further research amongst social work and judicial practitioners aimed at addressing preventive and intervention measures for eliminating domestic violence in the UK. More so, further research should focus on psychological treatment mechanisms for domestic violence victims. Also, strict laws should be drafted so as to curb repeat incidences while community work practitioners should work at educating the public on domestic violence, its extent, indicators, incidences and implications for involved parties.
Evidently, there is a paramount increase of domestic violence incidences in the UK. It is vital to educate people on the issue and especially high risk groups such as women. Social work practice is also highly implied in the prevention and elimination of this vice. Improved insight and extensive knowledge on the issue will aid social workers in addressing the problem or even in tackling minor issues arising during their work. However, the entire society has a role to play in curbing this issue and they all need to understand these different roles to enable effective implementation of preventive strategies.
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