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Unfortunately, In An Attempt To Include As Broad A Range Of Domestic Violence ...

Unfortunately, in an attempt to include as broad a range of domestic violence as possible within the definition, the concern is that the definition has been made too wide. As such, it then becomes the role of those interpreting the definition to make their own assessments as to the subtleties involved.
For instance, many parents believe they should be allowed to smack their children whereas the above definition would put that type of behaviour into the realms of domestic violence. Likewise an argument between a married couple may arrive at the same result even though the exchange has occurred in the heat of the moment between two individuals of equal power in that relationship. It is suggested that this is the vital factor which is missing from the definition, the issue of power. Domestic violence stems from a power imbalance within a relationship and it is in these situations that it becomes a problem. Every intimate relationship involves some heated moments and if that is the case, and the above definition is accepted, then we are all guilty of having participated in domestic violence at one time or another. The problem therefore with such broad definitions is to ensure that those implementing criminal justice policies have a degree of common sense when it comes to making decisions which will have long term and far ranging consequences on many people.
The statistics on domestic violence are quite clear. A survey in the US found that an overwhelming majority (93 per cent) of abused people were married women. Perhaps more shockingly, one in three women surveyed stated that they had suffered abuse at least once. Statistics reported by the government make particularly grim reading. Even though domestic violence is acknowledged to be chronically under reported, it still manages to account for 16% of all violent crime, has more repeat victims than any other crime (on average there will have been 35 assaults before a victim calls the police), costs in excess of £23bn a year, claims the lives of two women each week and 30 men per year, is the largest cause of morbidity worldwide in women aged 19-44, greater than war, cancer or motor vehicle accidents and will affect 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men in their lifetime.
There are many underlying factors which contribute to domestic violence and which must be considered by decision makers when developing appropriate criminal justice policy. These underlying factors include relationships which are in the process of breaking down, emotional insecurity, violent upbringing, culture and economic concerns. Due to the diverse range of factors involved, policy makers cannot take a one size fits all approach towards domestic violence.


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