According to reports conducted by the Home Office, the average survivor of domestic violence will suffer 35 or more assaults over a period of seven years before contacting the police. Recent Home Office statistics also show that domestic violence claims the lives of around two women a week and that one in four women will be a victim of domestic violence in their lifetime.
Why is Domestic Violence Under-reported?
One main reason for the lack of reporting domestic violence is the fear and experience of a lack of response by the police. For example, it has been found that most police stations screen their calls to prioritise responses to emergencies, especially during nights and weekends, when domestic violence calls are most likely. During these times, police often eliminate domestic violence calls as they are not seen as being as urgent as other calls.
This lack of police action can also be seen in "Hester’s Domestic Violence: Making it Through the Criminal Justice System" study of 2003. This study found that only one quarter of recorded domestic violence incidents resulted in arrest (222/869, 25.5%). This shows police as having a lack of understanding of domestic violence cases and perhaps thinking that it is not serious enough to respond to or make arrests.
What is Domestic Violence?
Another reason that can be seen for the under-reporting of domestic violence is the uncertainty of what domestic violence is. It may be that some victims do not realise that what they are experiencing is domestic violence and do not realise that they should seek help. Hester and Westmarland noted the EastEnders effect in 2001 where reports of domestic violence went up the same time that a character on EastEnders was experiencing domestic violence.
From seeing a case of domestic violence on TV, women in the same situation were made aware of what they were going through and realised that it was wrong. A simple solution to this problem would be more awareness in high schools, adverts on TV and pamphlets about experiencing domestic violence and how to get help.
Prosecution Rates of Domestic Violence
Another reason for under-reporting of domestic violence can be identified when looking at the prosecution rates and punishments of abusers. For example, research into prosecution by Buchan and Edwards in 1991 found that out of 79 prosecutions where defendants were remanded in custody for domestic violence charges, only one defendant received a sentence of imprisonment.
Sufferers may be wary of reporting domestic violence as it is very unlikely that their abuser will receive a custodial sentence. If the abuser is not sentenced, they may be more likely to inflict abuse onto the victim as a retaliation of being arrested. Therefore not reporting domestic violence to the police could be seen as the more sensible option by the sufferer as when it is reported it could lead to more violence rather than a conviction for the abuser.
It is clear that the reason domestic violence is under reported is because the criminal justice system can be seen as failing women who do report it. Domestic violence may continue to be under reported if the criminal justice system does not do more to protect and aid women in abusive relationships.
Sources:
Buchan, I. & Edwards, S.S.M (1991) Adult Cautioning for Domestic Violence. London, Home Office Police Department. Quoted in: Taylor-Browne, J. (2001) What Works in Reducing Domestic Violence?: A Comprehensive Guide for Professionals. London, Whiting & Birch Ltd
Buzawa, E. Buzawa, C. (2003) Domestic Violence: The Criminal Justice Response. London, Sage.
Dobash, R. & Dobash, R. (1992) Women, Violence and Social Change. London, Routledge.
Hester, M. & Westmarland, N. (2005) Tackling Domestic Violence: effective interventions and approaches. Home Office Research Study 290. London, Home Office Research, Development and Statistics Directorate.
Matthew Read - I love writing! Over the last 6 years I have written CD reviews, book reviews, interviews and features for music magazines like No-Title, ...
Join the Conversation