The Problem of Intimate Partner Abuse

Abstract

There are multiple definitions for domestic abuse or violence, none of which, it is argued by many, is satisfactory (Stark 2007). All definitions are of necessity gender neutral, but often fail, because of this, to capture that dominant form of abuse which is directed predominantly against females by males. The definition used by the police in the United Kingdom further marginalizes many victims. The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) defines domestic abuse as physical, psychological, sexual or financial bullying by a relative or intimate regardless of gender or sexuality, though they are specific in their definition that victims and offenders should be over 18 years (Richards 2006). It is argued that this age specification limits intervention, for example in addressing such violence as female genital mutilation and also in providing help and support for girls or boys by domestic abuse service providers and independent domestic violence advisors (IDVAs). For my purposes I will be narrowing the definition from domestic to male-perpetrated intimate partner abuse (IPA), which focuses on abuse perpetrated by men against their spouses, intimate partners and former intimate partners, and I include women and girls of any age where they may be indulging in an intimate relationship. My focus does not imply that men are not victims of domestic abuse, but here I focus on very certain gendered processes and responses to abuse which are observable in crime narratives that appear in the press, but also in law enforcement and criminal justice systems. Although there is some crossover of issues between genders, many of the problems faced by female victims of abuse are different to those that may be faced by males, as are the motivations and social supports for such abuse.