Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire Domestic Violence Taskgroup

What is Domestic Violence?

Different agencies give varying definitions of domestic violence. Women's Aid give the following definition:
...physical, psychological, sexual or financial violence that takes place within an intimate or family-type relationship and forms a pattern of coercive and controlling behaviour.

Anyone can experience domestic violence regardless of race, ethnic or religious group, class, sexuality, disability or lifestyle. Over 80% of the victims are women and repeat victimisation is common - 1 in 4 women experience domestic violence over their lifetimes. The Police receive half a million calls each year from the public for assistance for domestic violence - around 1300 calls each day. That's a call every minute... And, it is estimated that only one third of actual domestic violence crime is actually reported to the Police! In a year, the Women's Aid National Helpline receives over 56,000 calls.

Why women leave:

• 60% of the women in one study left the abuser because they feared that they would be killed if they stayed
• 54% of women said that they could see that the abuse was affecting their children
• 25% of the women said that they feared for their children's lives

On average 2 women per week are killed by current or former partners in England and Wales.

Additional consequences
Violence against women has serious consequences for their physical and mental health. Abused women are more likely to suffer from depression, anxiety, psychosomatic systems, eating problems and sexual dysfunction. Violence may also affect their reproductive health (WHO. Factsheet No 239. June 2000).

The homelessness charity, Shelter, found 40% of all homeless women stated that domestic violence was a contributor to their homelessness. Domestic violence was found to be "the single most quoted reason for becoming homeless"

Studies have shown links between child physical abuse and domestic violence - estimates ranging from 30% to 66% of cases.

76% of women experienced further threats or abuse after separation.