Tackling Domestic Violence in UK: Persistent Problems

Abstract

Over the past three decades we have witnessed the public exposure of attitudes and academic discourse concerning the problem of domestic violence in the UK. It is evident from literature that domestic violence has been present throughout the history, yet changes to laws concerning the matter of domestic violence are quite a recent phenomenon. It can be argued that policies dealing with the problems of domestic violence have largely been unsuccessful, and have failed to protect victims of violence. In this context the purpose of this paper is to explore the reasons behind such recent exposure, and to answer why implemented policies and laws have largely failed. In this paper the literature, both past and present, on domestic violence and gender inequalities in the UK, has been considered for analysis and further presented to better cope with the problem of domestic violence. The paper has developed starting with addressing distinct but related aspects of the issue that is reflected in section I. The section II introduces the paper by highlighting what domestic violence consists of, followed by an introductory insight into each of the sections and discusses violence as a form of control over women and their lives, perpetuated by previous or present partners. Section III emphasises the importance of understanding of the victims, as each victim has h/her own distinct needs. Section IV explores the role of the police, to find out how much protection is provided and what type of help is available. Finally paper is concluded with discussion and possible measure that should be taken into consideration to mitigate domestic violence. It is evident that patriarchal values and beliefs still exist in modern British society, leading to the failure of recent policy and the continuing of domestic disputes. Domestic violence is just one part of the existing inequalities between men and women. The subordination of women is socially constructed, and is reinforced continually, not only by the use of violence from their husbands, but also in other areas such as salary differences etc. which in turn has created an immutable patriarchal culture. Until the embedded attitudes are tackled, policies concerning the issue of domestic violence cannot be completely successful in tackling the problem.