An article examined the issue of adding a gender-based category concerned with violence against women to British hate crime legislation. Reporting on a recent study, it said most participants believed that a hate crime approach would involve practical and conceptual difficulties, but that the possible symbolic benefits were likely to outweigh the potential practical disadvantages.
Source: Aisha Gill and Hannah Mason-Bish, 'Addressing violence against women as a form of hate crime: limitations and possibilities', Feminist Review, Volume 105
Links: Abstract
Date: 2013-Nov
The European Commission issued a communication setting out a series of actions to work towards the elimination of female genital mutilation. It reiterated the European Union's commitment to ending both violence against women and FGM.
Source: Towards the Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation, European Commission
Links: Communication | European Commission press release
Date: 2013-Nov
A report examined the prevalence of, prevention of, protection against, prosecution for, and provision of services related to female genital mutilation in European Union countries.
Source: European Institute for Gender Equality, Female Genital Mutilation in the European Union and Croatia, European Union
Links: Report
Date: 2013-Nov
An article examined adolescent to parent violence cases reported to the police. It examined victim, offender and incident characteristics from 1892 cases, most of which involved violence against the person or criminal damage in the home. The study found that the majority of offenders were male, and over 75 per cent of victims were female.
Source: Rachel Condry and Caroline Miles, 'Adolescent to parent violence: framing and mapping a hidden problem', Criminology and Criminal Justice, Online first
Date: 2013-Nov
A report examined the impact of funding cuts on specialist domestic violence support services. It said that there had been a move towards commissioning generalist, non-specialist services, with notable losses of both targeted refuge provision and longer term, community-based work. It noted regional variations in the loss of services, and the potential impact on the statutory services. The report called for local commissioners to work with specialist providers in making best use of available resources.
Source: Katy Taylor, A Growing Crisis of Unmet Need: What the figures alone don t show you, Women's Aid Federation of England
Links: Report | WAF press release | Guardian report
Date: 2013-Nov
A report evaluated the domestic violence disclosure scheme pilots. The pilots aimed to introduce a consistent process for the use of existing police powers to disclose information to an individual about previous violent offending by their partner. The report raised issues around the police process, low public awareness and understanding, and low awareness of the scheme amongst some frontline police officers. It identified a need for guidance to support greater consistency across different local areas, and for support for those who received a disclosure. The report made recommendations.
Source: Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS) Pilot Assessment, Home Office
Links: Report | Hansard (Written statement) | Women's Aid press release | Telegraph report | Guardian report
Date: 2013-Nov
A report evaluated a 15 month pilot of domestic violence protection orders. DVPOs were introduced by the Crime and Security Act 2010 to provide immediate protection for victim-survivors by enabling police to issue a domestic violence prevention notice to place 48 hour restrictions on the perpetrator. This was then followed by a DVPO, issued by the magistrates court, for between 14 and 28 days. The report supported a wider roll out of DVPOs, but recommended procedural refinements and identified training needs. It recommended that primary legislation should be considered, to lengthen DVPNs from 48 hours to between 4 and 7 days, as well as to criminalize breaches of DVPOs.
Source: Liz Kelly, Joanna Adler, Miranda Horvath, Jo Lovett, Mark Coulson, David Kernohan, Mark Gray, Joseph Hillier, and Sian Nicholas, Evaluation of the Pilot of Domestic Violence Protection Orders, Research Report 76, Home Office
Links: Report | Hansard (Written statement)
Date: 2013-Nov
A research report said that three quarters of girls and young women aged between 11- and 21 were unaware of the signs of domestic violence. While girls showed an awareness of the many issues involved in abusive relationships, their understanding lacked nuance. Without opportunities to develop understanding, young people could be at risk of believing that some unacceptable behaviour was 'just part of a relationship'. Some participants showed a willingness to excuse, forgive or accept behaviour that was rooted in jealousy and lack of trust and were vulnerable to falling into a pattern of accepting abusive behaviour. A range of sources of information and support were called for.
Source: Care Versus Control: Healthy relationships, Girlguiding
Links: Report | Children and Young People report
Date: 2013-Oct
A government report provided an assessment of human trafficking in the United Kingdom.
Source: Second Report of the Inter-Departmental Ministerial Group on Human Trafficking, Cm 8731, Home Office, TSO
Links: Report | Home Office press release
Date: 2013-Oct
An inspectorate report examined how domestic violence and abuse was addressed by the criminal justice system in Northern Ireland. The report said that differences in practice and approach still remained between different Police Service of Northern Ireland officers and districts, despite the PSNI domestic incident policy aimed at fostering a consistent approach. The report noted increased reporting of instances of domestic violence and abuse, but that detection rates had fallen. The report called for victims to be adequately supported and placed at the centre of the criminal justice process.
Source: Domestic Violence and Abuse: A follow-up review of inspection recommendations, Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland
Links: Report | CJINI press release
Date: 2013-Oct
A report examined how sexual violence and abuse was addressed by the criminal justice system in Northern Ireland. The report said that, since a previous inspection three years ago, the importance of sexual violence and abuse and awareness of the issue had increased. Seven of the original inspection recommendations were assessed as achieved; three had been partially achieved; and two were not achieved.
Source: Sexual Violence and Abuse: A follow-up review of inspection recommendations, Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland
Links: Report | Press release
Date: 2013-Oct
An article examined how African, Caribbean and White British women worked to hide psychological partner abuse. The paper noted that appropriate advice and support could make a difference to women in this situation.
Source: Carol Rivas, Moira Kelly, and Gene Feder, 'Drawing the line: how African, Caribbean and White British women live out psychologically abusive experiences', Violence Against Women, Volume 19 Number 9
Links: Abstract
Date: 2013-Oct
A report examined human trafficking in London.
Source: Andrew Boff, Shadow City: Exposing human trafficking in everyday London, Greater London Authority Conservatives
Links: Report
Date: 2013-Oct
An article examined the impact of rape crisis counselling in alleviating the distress experienced following rape. Overall, some degree of positive change was seen for all the measures adopted, suggesting the possibility of an evidence base for the benefits of rape crisis centres.
Source: Nicole Westmarland and Sue Alderson, 'The health, mental health, and well-being benefits of rape crisis counseling', Journal of Interpersonal Violence, Volume 28 Number 17
Links: Abstract
Date: 2013-Sep
An article examined the costs of domestic violence using a life satisfaction approach. The results suggested that the cost of domestic violence could be as much as 10 per cent of national income.
Source: Cristina Santos, 'Costs of domestic violence: a life satisfaction approach', Fiscal Studies, Volume 34 Issue 3, Institute for Fiscal Studies
Links: Abstract | Open University press release
Date: 2013-Sep
An article presented the results of a study that tracked domestic violence cases in England over six years through the criminal justice system, and compared cases involving male and female perpetrators. Gender differences were found relating to the nature of cases, forms of violence recorded, frequency of incidents, and levels of arrest.
Source: Marianne Hester, 'Who does what to whom? Gender and domestic violence perpetrators in English police records', European Journal of Criminology, Volume 10 Number 5
Links: Abstract
Date: 2013-Sep
A new book examined notions of freedom based on people's 'ownership' of their bodies, drawing on analyses of rape, surrogacy, and markets in human organs. It highlighted the risks associated with metaphors of property and the reasons why the commodification of the body remained problematic.
Source: Anne Phillips, Our Bodies, Whose Property?, Princeton University Press
Links: Summary
Date: 2013-Sep
A report said that Asian girls were failing to report sexual abuse to the police and other authorities because they feared not being believed, or because they were threatened with bringing shame and dishonour on their families. Agencies were also too focused on a model of grooming involving white victims.
Source: Shaista Gohir, Unheard Voices: The sexual exploitation of Asian girls and young women, Muslim Women's Network UK
Links: Report | OCC press release | Guardian report
Date: 2013-Sep
A report examined the effect of legal aid reforms that required victims of domestic abuse to provide prescribed evidence in order to access support. It said that there was evidence that the regulations were restricting access to legal advice and representation. Half of the victims surveyed did not have the prescribed forms of evidence to access family law legal aid. 16.7 per cent of respondents had had to pay over £50 to obtain copies of the required evidence, and 37.5 per cent had had to wait longer than 2 weeks to get copies of their evidence. 60.5 per cent of respondents took no action in relation to their family law problem as a result of not being able to apply for legal aid.
Source: Evidencing Domestic Violence: A barrier to family law legal aid, Rights of Women/Women s Aid England/Welsh Women s Aid
Links: Report
Date: 2013-Aug
The Prime Minister announced that action would be taken to block access to online pornography unless customers told their internet provider that they wanted to retain it. Possessing online pornography depicting rape would become illegal in England and Wales (in line with Scotland). The Prime Minister also called for certain internet search terms related to child sexual abuse to be 'blacklisted' by search engine companies.
Source: Speech by David Cameron MP (Prime Minister), 22 July 2013
Links: Speech | Action for Children press release | Brook press release | CARE press release | Childrens Society press release | Christian Institute press release | Durham University press release | Evangelical Alliance press release | EVAW press release | Family Lives press release | IWF press release | NSPCC press release | OCC press release | Rape Crisis press release | BBC report (1) | BBC report (2) | Daily Mail report | Guardian report
Date: 2013-Jul
A report examined the progression of individual cases relating to rape through the criminal justice system, from reporting to conviction, across three police force areas in the north-east region of England. Cases involving the most vulnerable victims were least likely to progress to any extent through the criminal justice system. For those with a mental health problem or learning disability, in particular, the justice gap was a 'chasm'. Although victim vulnerability was identified as an aggravating factor in the 2003 Sexual Offences Act, in practice vulnerability was deemed to undermine victim credibility. Use of a victim-focused approach, alongside other factors, led to the highest proportion of cases proceeding through to charges, more cases going to court, and also a higher rate of convictions.
Source: Marianne Hester, From Report to Court: Rape cases and the criminal justice system in the North East, Centre for Gender and Violence Research (University of Bristol)/Northern Rock Foundation
Links: Report | Summary | Bristol University press release
Date: 2013-Jul
The prosecution service inspectorate identified gaps in the handling of disclosure material involving rape and sexual offence cases. Prosecutors did not actively consider whether or not a complainant's consent had been obtained to disclose medical records and/or counselling notes to the defence; did not always consider properly whether or not there was a need for full disclosure; and could find it difficult to ascertain whether the police had properly obtained the complainant's consent to disclosure.
Source: Disclosure of Medical Records and Counselling Notes: A review of CPS compliance with rules and guidance in relation to disclosure of complainants medical records and counselling notes in rape and sexual offence cases, HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate
Links: Report | HMCPSI press release | Guardian report
Date: 2013-Jul
A paper examined how changes in unemployment affected the incidence of domestic abuse. 'Strong evidence' was found (in contrast to the conventional wisdom) that male and female unemployment had opposite effects on domestic abuse: an increase in male unemployment decreased the incidence of intimate partner violence, while an increase in female unemployment increased domestic abuse.
Source: Dan Anderberg, Helmut Rainer, Jonathan Wadsworth, and Tanya Wilson, Unemployment and Domestic Violence: Theory and evidence, DP1230, Centre for Economic Performance (London School of Economics)
Links: Paper
Date: 2013-Jul
A report examined domestic violence cases where the victim refused to engage with, or withdrew from, the criminal justice process. It considered why victims refused to engage; measures taken to try to involve victims in this process and address their safety; the most effective way to ensure a successful conviction; and further steps that could be taken to improve conviction outcomes and victim safety.
Source: Domestic Violence, Non-Engagement or Withdrawal of Victims, Crown Prosecution Service
Links: Report
Date: 2013-Jun
An article examined how a sample of men accomplished desistance from abusive behaviour. Even men committed to desistance might require programmes to support them over a period of several years. Desistance was best understood as a process and not an outcome. The men's experiences underlined the need for interventions to be substantially more desistance-focused.
Source: David Morran, 'Desisting from domestic abuse: influences, patterns and processes in the lives of formerly abusive men', Howard Journal of Criminal Justice, Volume 52 Issue 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2013-Jun
The Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill was given a second reading. The Bill included measures (mostly related to England and Wales) to tackle anti-social behaviour, forced marriage, dangerous dogs, and illegal firearms. There would be new, simpler powers for the police to tackle anti-social behaviour. Forced marriage would become a criminal offence, as would a breach of a forced-marriage protection order.
Source: Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill, Home Office, TSO | Debate 10 June 2013, columns 66-127, House of Commons Hansard, TSO
Links: Bill | Explanatory notes | Hansard
Date: 2013-Jun
A report examined the implementation of a scheme providing a specific easement from job-seeking conditions for jobseeker s allowance claimants who are victims of actual or threatened domestic violence.
Source: ICF GHK Consulting Ltd, Domestic Violence: Implementation of JSA DV Easement and DDV Concession – Small scale qualitative research, Research Report 843, Department for Work and Pensions
Date: 2013-Jun
The coalition government published the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill. The Bill included measures (mostly related to England and Wales) to tackle anti-social behaviour, forced marriage, dangerous dogs, and illegal firearms. There would be new, simpler powers for police to tackle anti-social behaviour. Forced marriage would become a criminal offence, as would a breach of a forced-marriage protection order.
Source: Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill, Home Office, TSO
Links: Bill | Explanatory notes | Impact assessment | Home Office press release | Cabinet Office briefing | HOC research brief | Childrens Society press release | CIH press release | Labour Party press release | LGA press release | Liberty press release | Manifesto Club press release | Nottingham Trent University press release | BBC report | Telegraph report
Date: 2013-May
A new book said that the criminal justice system had little effect on crime rates; that policing had been hijacked to serve the needs of lawyers; and that 'facts' about crime were continually manipulated to serve the needs of politicians and the media. It quoted research suggesting that a high proportion of cases in which women had had sex unwillingly should not be classified as rape; and it said that some women's own behaviour increased their risk of becoming a victim of rape.
Source: Nick Ross, Crime: How to Solve It – And Why So Much of What We're Told Is Wrong, Biteback Publishing
Links: Summary | Statement from Nick Ross | Extract (rape issue) | BBC report | Guardian report | Telegraph report
Date: 2013-May
A report examined the coalition government's pledge to prevent violence against women and girls. Although there was good work in some areas of government, in other key areas the pledge was 'virtually meaningless'.
Source: Holly Dustin and Holly Shepherd, Deeds or Words? Analysis of Westminster government action to prevent violence against women and girls, End Violence Against Women
Links: Report | EVAW press release | Durham University press release | BHA press release | NAHT press release | Guardian report
Date: 2013-May
An article examined the 'Making Safe' scheme, a multi-agency initiative designed to provide a co-ordinated and integrated response to domestic violence by focusing on both victims and perpetrators. A key feature of the intervention was that it enabled victims to remain in their own homes, provided it was considered safe to do so, and re-housed perpetrators. The study highlighted the increased opportunities for victims and their families to engage in recovery work while remaining in the family home.
Source: Alan Clarke and Sarah Wydall, '"Making Safe": a coordinated community response to empowering victims and tackling perpetrators of domestic violence', Social Policy and Society, Volume 12 Issue 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2013-May
An article examined common elements, differences, and minimum standards when applying restorative justice in cases of violence against women in Greece and the United Kingdom.
Source: Theo Gavrielides and Vasso Artinopoulou, 'Restorative justice and violence against women: comparing Greece and the United Kingdom', Asian Journal of Criminology, Volume 8 Issue 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2013-Apr
A study found that over half of young people aged 13-14 had some direct experiences of domestic abuse, whether as victims, witnesses, or perpetrators.
Source: Claire Fox, Mary-Louise Corr, David Gadd, and Ian Butler, From Boys to Men: Phase One Key Findings, From Boys to Men Project
Links: Report | Manchester University press release
See also: Claire Fox, Mary-Louise Corr, David Gadd, and Ian Butler, 'Young teenagers' experiences of domestic abuse', Journal of Youth Studies, Online first
Date: 2013-Mar
The coalition government published a revised action plan for delivering its strategy to tackle violence against women and girls.
Source: A Call to End Violence against Women and Girls: Action Plan 2013, Home Office
Links: Action plan | Hansard | Home Office press release | EVAW press release | Labour Party press release
Date: 2013-Mar
A report said that false allegations of rape and domestic violence might be rarer than previously thought. In only a very small number of cases was there sufficient evidence, and sufficient public interest, to prosecute a person suspected of making a false allegation of rape or domestic violence.
Source: Alison Levitt and Crown Prosecution Service Equality and Diversity Unit, Charging Perverting the Course of Justice and Wasting Police Time in Cases Involving Allegedly False Rape and Domestic Violence Allegations, Crown Prosecution Service
Links: Report | CPS press release | Hansard | EVAW press release | Rape Crisis press release | Daily Mail report | Guardian report (1) | Guardian report (2)
Date: 2013-Mar
An article examined two recent coalition government proposals for 'victim-focused' crime prevention – the domestic violence disclosure scheme, and plans to criminalize stalking behaviour. These supposedly 'preventative' proposals were in fact responsive and problematic, as their implementation relied upon the existence of victims. Rather than effectively preventing abuse, victims' voices were instead being used to enhance and expand legislation. Criminal justice policies alone were unable to prevent violence against women, and more engagement needed to occur outside of the criminal justice arena.
Source: Marian Duggan, 'Using victims' voices to prevent violence against women: a critique', British Journal of Community Justice, Volume 10 Number 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2013-Feb