Domestic abuse in the UK

Abstract

A redefinition of domestic violence was announced by Nick Clegg, Britain's Deputy Prime Minister, on Sept 18. Victims of abuse aged 16–17 years will be recognised alongside adults, and the definition of abuse broadens to “any incident or pattern…of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse…” by family members or intimate partners. The new policy is expected to come into force in March, 2013.Profound changes in the lives of Britain's families are precedented, but recent decades have brought new and sometimes unexpected challenges—eg, parenting arrangements of greater fluidity, richer cultural diversity as a result of immigration, and the stealthy encroachment of social media on interpersonal relationships. According to the Crime Survey for England and Wales for 2010–11, people aged 16–24 years are at the greatest risk of domestic violence and, strikingly, some 40% of teenagers report abusive relationships. Although difficult to identify, discuss, and prevent, abuse comes in many forms and can have extremely damaging and longlasting psychological effects, bringing serious consequences for the health and wellbeing of individuals, their families, and society.The new position on domestic violence is one of a series of initiatives, and includes the creation of a young people's panel by the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children to provide an age-appropriate perspective on government policy. Clegg's recent announcement is part of a welcome cultural change in the perception, legislation, and management of domestic abuse in the UK. Social and police services are likely to be called on to respond to issues of increasing complexity, and economic pressures are likely not only to exacerbate those issues but also to impose cost constraints on the necessary services. Although some will be tempted to dismiss the new policy as an unnecessary intrusion into parental responsibilities to steer teens' behaviour in socially acceptable directions, when applied appropriately it can help hitherto covert abuse to be identified and dealt with. A redefinition of domestic violence was announced by Nick Clegg, Britain's Deputy Prime Minister, on Sept 18. Victims of abuse aged 16–17 years will be recognised alongside adults, and the definition of abuse broadens to “any incident or pattern…of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse…” by family members or intimate partners. The new policy is expected to come into force in March, 2013. Profound changes in the lives of Britain's families are precedented, but recent decades have brought new and sometimes unexpected challenges—eg, parenting arrangements of greater fluidity, richer cultural diversity as a result of immigration, and the stealthy encroachment of social media on interpersonal relationships. According to the Crime Survey for England and Wales for 2010–11, people aged 16–24 years are at the greatest risk of domestic violence and, strikingly, some 40% of teenagers report abusive relationships. Although difficult to identify, discuss, and prevent, abuse comes in many forms and can have extremely damaging and longlasting psychological effects, bringing serious consequences for the health and wellbeing of individuals, their families, and society. The new position on domestic violence is one of a series of initiatives, and includes the creation of a young people's panel by the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children to provide an age-appropriate perspective on government policy. Clegg's recent announcement is part of a welcome cultural change in the perception, legislation, and management of domestic abuse in the UK. Social and police services are likely to be called on to respond to issues of increasing complexity, and economic pressures are likely not only to exacerbate those issues but also to impose cost constraints on the necessary services. Although some will be tempted to dismiss the new policy as an unnecessary intrusion into parental responsibilities to steer teens' behaviour in socially acceptable directions, when applied appropriately it can help hitherto covert abuse to be identified and dealt with.