domestic violence

• Sociological Views on Domestic Violence


  • Radical Feminist
  • Marxist Explanation
  • Marxist Feminists
• Radical Feminist Theorists


  • Dobash & Dobash
  • Millett
  • Firestone
• Radical Feminist Explanation


  • Evidence of patriarchy-men are the oppressors and exploiters of women
  • OFS suggest women from some social groups are at greater risk of dv
• Marxist Explanation


  • Dv is the result of stress on family members- caused by social inequality
  • Those on lower income or living in overcrowded accommodation are likely to experience higher levels of stress
  • Those in lower social classes face greater hardship and thus stress, this helps to explain class differences in the statistics of dv
  • They do not explain why women rather than men are victims
• Marxist Feminist Explanation


  • Wives are 'takers of shit' argues dv is the product of capitalism- male workers are exploited at work and they take out their frustration of their wives
  • Explains why dv is males against females
  • Fails to explain why not all male workers commit acts of violence against their partners and it does not account for cases of female dv
• The time limit to charge common assault including domestic violence is six months
• ¾ of all domestic abuse cases, including sexual assaults are closed early without the suspect being charged
• 1.6% of rape allegations in England and Wales result in someone being charged
• Victims of domestic assault are sometimes reluctant to come forward and the cases can be complex
• The six month time limit is the major problem
• Domestic Abuse Cases


  • 2018-2019 (pre covid lockdown) - approximately 150,000 - charges brought - 15,000
  • 2019-2020 (pre covid lockdown) - approximately 162,000 - charges brought - 12,000
  • 2021-2021 (covid lockdown) - approximately 165,000- charges brought 11,000
• The number of cases of domestic assault is increasing but the number of charges brought is decreasing
• Possible Reasons for Decreasing Charges


  • 6 month limit- victims must report domestic abuse within 6 months and police must collect the evidence within this time
  • Victims are reluctant to come forward and then pursue charges because they fear reprisals by their attacker
  • Courts are too busy to deal with all the cases. Therefore, victims are being put off
• In theory it should be easier to bring charges of domestic abuse against the perpetrator furthermore, in 2015 (new laws passed) SERIOUS CRIME ACT this has led to controlling or coercive behaviour being a criminal offence
• Clare's Law


  Law implemented across England and Wales after Clare Wood was murdered by her ex-partner, who had a history of violence against women