A report examined support services for women who were victims of violence. One-third of local authorities had no specialized support services; most women had no access to a rape crisis centre; and fewer than 1 in 10 local authorities had specialist services for ethnic minority women that would address issues such as forced marriage, female genital mutilation, and crimes in the name of honour.
Source: Maddy Coy, Liz Kelly and Jo Foord with Val Balding and Rebecca Davenport, Map of Gaps: The postcode lottery of violence against women support services, End Violence Against Women (020 7033 1559) and Equality and Human Rights Commission
Links: Report | EHRC press release | Fawcett press release | Amnesty press release | TUC press release | Liberal Democrats press release
Date: 2007-Nov
An article examined research conducted with very high-risk victims of domestic violence, to determine their levels of 'revictimization' one year after being referred to a multi-agency risk assessment conference. Taking a holistic multi-agency approach to domestic violence could reduce recidivism.
Source: Amanda Robinson and Jasmin Tregidga, 'The perceptions of high-risk victims of domestic violence to a coordinated community response in Cardiff, Wales', Violence Against Women, Volume 13 Number 11
Links: Abstract
Date: 2007-Oct
A new book examined the relationship between substance misuse and domestic violence, and their effect on children. It looked at the response of children's services when there were concerns about the safety and welfare of children.
Source: Hedy Cleaver, Don Nicholson, Sukey Tarr and Deborah Cleaver, Child Protection, Domestic Violence and Parental Substance Misuse: Family experiences and effective practice, Jessica Kingsley Publishers (020 7833 2307)
Links: Summary
Date: 2007-Oct
An article examined the evaluation process of three domestic violence projects located in disadvantaged areas, and criticized the approach of identifying 'best practice' projects.
Source: Alpa Parmar and Alice Sampson, 'Evaluating domestic violence initiatives', British Journal of Criminology, Volume 47 Number 4
Links: Abstract
Date: 2007-Jul
Researchers examined ways in which Sure Start local programmes gained the trust of parents who needed help with the issue of domestic abuse. Considerable progress had been made in breaking down barriers in communication and working practices, and developing constructive relationships between practitioners, which were required to achieve effective joint working between agencies and professionals.
Source: Lisa Niven and Mog Ball, Sure Start Local Programmes and Domestic Abuse, Research Report NESS/2007/FR/025, Department for Children, Schools and Families (0845 602 2260)
Date: 2007-Jul
A report highlighted an 'unspoken epidemic' of domestic abuse - ultimately unquantifiable, because some victims were not believed, while others did not realize the abuse they suffered was a crime. Domestic abuse needed urgent attention, and doctors should be trained to spot victims and help them.
Source: Domestic Abuse, British Medical Association (020 7387 4499)
Links: Summary | BMA press release | Guardian report
Date: 2007-Jun
A think-tank report said that local authorities should be given a greater role in tackling domestic violence. Local councils were best placed to bring together cross-cutting agencies in areas of criminal justice, health, and social exclusion to deliver strategies to reduce levels of domestic violence.
Source: Anthony Brand, Domestic Issues: The Role of Local Authorities in Tackling Domestic Abuse, New Local Government Network (020 7357 0051)
Links: Report | NLGN press release
Date: 2007-Jun
Researchers found that domestic abuse was a 'sizeable problem' in same-sex relationships.
Source: Catherine Donovan, Marianne Hester, Jonathan Holmes and Melanie McCarry, Comparing Domestic Abuse in Same Sex and Heterosexual Relationships, Violence Against Women Research Group/University of Bristol (0117 954 5561)
Links: Report
Date: 2007-Apr
A report presented the findings of the 2-year evaluation of a pilot domestic abuse court in Glasgow. Compared to traditional courts, a number of improvements were evident in the process and practice of dealing with domestic abuse, and there was a high level of satisfaction among victims whose cases were heard in the pilot court.
Source: Reid Howie Associates, Evaluation of the Pilot Domestic Abuse Court, Scottish Executive (web publication only)
Date: 2007-Mar
The second edition was published of a book which examined recent research and legislation relating to domestic violence and its consequences for children, and identified the implications for practice.
Source: Marianne Hester, Chris Pearson and Nicola Harwin, with Hilary Abrahams, Making an Impact: Children and domestic violence - A reader, Jessica Kingsley Publishers (020 7833 2307)
Links: Summary
Date: 2007-Jan