Adult Safeguarding
The Care Act 2014
This Care Act was the first legislation for adult safeguarding in the UK. Domestic Abuse is a type of abuse under this Act.
The Act uses the term ‘Adult at risk of neglect or abuse’.
The Act defines an Adult at Risk as someone who:
- has needs for care and support (whether or not the authority is meeting any of those needs),
- is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect, and
- as a result of those needs is unable to protect himself or herself against the abuse or neglect or the risk of it.
People falling under this criteria could be:
- frail due to ill health, physical disability or cognitive impairment;
- someone with a learning disability;
- a person with mental health needs including dementia or a personality disorder;
- someone with a physical disability and/or a sensory impairment;
- someone with a long-term illness/condition;
- a person that misuses substances or alcohol;
- a carer such as a family member /friend who may be at risk because of their caring role;
- someone who is unable to demonstrate the capacity to make a relevant decision and is in need of care and support.
It is important to note that just because somebody has a disability or is an older person, they may not meet the criteria for a Safeguarding Adults Enquiry.
Where someone has care and support needs, these can be exploited by the abuser to cause harm.
Select each of the headings below to find out more:
Personal care may be withheld if the abuser is a carer.
For example, refusing to provide assistance to use the toilet as a way of controlling the victim.
The abuser may also misuse medication prescribed to the person with care and support needs – this could be over or under administering or withholding medication as ways to impact on the behaviour of the person.
The abuser may spend the person’s money inappropriately and/or without their consent or restrict their access to money or benefits.
Lasting Power of Attorney (Financial) can be used by abusers to steal money or property.
Destroying property is another form of financial abuse.
The abuser may tell the person that no one else will love them or that if they report the abuse they will have to go into a care home.
The abuser may use children as a hold over the victim, telling them that their children will be taken away if they report the abuse because they will not be able to look after them on their own.
The abuser may sexually assault or rape the person, who may not physically be able to stop them or understand what is happening to them. Sexual violence is about one person exerting power and control over the victim – not sexual attraction.
Carers can be victims of domestic abuse. This could be a long-standing situation or as a result of behaviour changes in their partner due to illness of disability. Carers may also gave care and support needs themselves. This is a complex area but professional support is available.
Family carers may also abuse the person they are caring for. Sometimes the abuse is not deliberate and is the result of extreme carer stress. But caring for someone does give power and control over that person and some people may choose to abuse that position.
It’s important for professionals to be curious about family carer relationships. Speak to the Carer and the cared-for person on their own, ask about abuse and safety, don’t assume everyone has their loved one’s best interests at heart, signpost carers to support services.
Domestic Abuse can also happen within families. This could be adult children abusing a parent or parent in-law, parent(s) abusing an adult child, or other abusive behaviours between close family members.
Child to Parent Abuse and Violence is where a child is abusive towards parents, grandparents or carers. There is a separate section on this.
Older People
Victims aged 61+ are much more likely to experience abuse from an adult family member than those 60 and under.
Older victims are more likely to remain living with the perpetrator after getting support.
Older victims are significantly more likely to have a disability – for a third, this is physical (34%).
In Cambridgeshire, we have an Older People’s DASH that can be used when assessing risks for people aged 60 and over.
The Dewis Choice project have adapted the Power & Control Wheel to reflect Domestic Abuse in Later Life https://dewischoice.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Dewis-Choice-Duluth-Wheel-1.pdf
The short film below from Norfolk Safeguarding Adults Board explains some of the risks faced by older victims.
A common barrier to accessing domestic abuse support for older people is health and mobility issues. It can be harder for older people to find safe accommodation to flee the abuse – a traditional refuge may not be suitable for them due to accessibility issues or care and support needs or for older male victims. Where a refuge is used, the Adult Social Care Team will continue to support the victim and work closely with the refuge.
Source: Safe Lives Spotlight http://safelives.org.uk/sites/default/files/resources/Safe%20Later%20Lives%20-%20Older%20people%20and%20domestic%20abuse.pdf
Disabilities
Women with disabilities are more than twice as likely to experience domestic abuse as women without disabilities. This is because of the multiple vulnerabilities of having a disability added to the vulnerability of being a victim of domestic abuse.
Disability can include any physical and learning disabilities as well as mental health issues, sensory impairment, age and illness.
People with disabilities typically experience abuse for longer before seeking support. When they do, traditional support such as refuges or travelling to support meetings may not be suitable or achievable for them.
Almost a third of domestic abuse victims with disabilities live with the perpetrator – who in many cases may also be their informal care
Source: Safe Lives Spotlight http://safelives.org.uk/sites/default/files/resources/Disabled%20Survivors%20Too%20CORRECTED.pdf
Additional support for people with vulnerabilities:
Cambridgeshire Deaf Association have a specialist Deaf IDVA and also provide the Freedom Programme in BSL https://cambsdeaf.org/get-support/support-courses/freedom-programme/
Hourglass support older victims of abuse www.wearehourglass.org
The Us Too project produced guidance for professionals when working with victims of abuse who have learning disabilities and autism Cambridgeshire County Council DASV Partnership – Disabilities (cambsdasv.org.uk)
Children & Young People
Children as victims of domestic abuse
Children and young people can experience domestic abuse at several stages in their life. ‘the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 recognises children as victims of abuse in their own right.’
Domestic abuse can be worse during pregnancy and physical violence can affect the unborn child in many different ways including miscarriage, still birth and premature birth. Violence and psychological stress inflicted on the mother can also lead to physical and mental illness.
Children can experience domestic abuse at home between parents and guardians. It is often assumed that, if a child doesn’t see the abuse then they aren’t aware of it but children can hear physical abuse, abusive language, and pick up on the fear and behaviours of the non-abusive parent.
Children often develop anxiety, depression, aggression and even post-traumatic stress disorder as a consequence of living with abuse.
The psychological impact of living with domestic abuse is no smaller than the impact of being physically abused.
Cambs DASV worked with national organisation Against Violence and Abuse (AVA) to develop guidance for practitioners supporting children living with domestic abuse. The guidance can be found at Cambridgeshire County Council DASV Partnership – Children and Young People (cambsdasv.org.uk)
If you suspect children are at risk of harm from domestic violence, you must follow your local Safeguarding Children procedures.
The latest safeguarding procedures and how to report concerns can be found on the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Safeguarding Children Partnership Board website: http://www.safeguardingcambspeterborough.org.uk
Teenagers and Abusive Relationships
Several independent studies have shown that 40% of teenagers are in abusive dating relationships.
The bi-annual Health-Related Behaviour Questionnaire shows that around one third of pupils in year 8 and year 10 have experienced behaviours such as jealousy, threats and even hitting from current or ex boyfriends of girlfriends.
Teenage romantic relationships can often be short-lived but they are experienced as intensely as adult relationships. Unfortunately, parents and professionals do not always take these relationships seriously enough.
Teenagers in abusive relationships can experience the same as adults.
Source: Safe Lives Spotlight http://safelives.org.uk/sites/default/files/resources/Disabled%20Survivors%20Too%20CORRECTED.pdf
Some further indicators may include:
– Their boyfriend of girlfriend gets upset or angry if they spend time with friends.
– He or she may feel pressured into doing what their partner says, including having sex.
– Their boyfriend or girlfriend might insist on checking their phone or asking who they have spoken to.
– Calling their partner names or saying nasty things about her/him to, or in front of, other people.
– Threatening to spread rumours about him or her.
The Young People’s IDVAs work with young people aged 13-19 (24 with additional needs or if they are an ex Looked After Child) who are experiencing domestic abuse in their own intimate relationships. To refer to the YP IDVA please see our website Cambridgeshire County Council DASV Partnership – Children and Young People (cambsdasv.org.uk)
Child / Adolescent to Parent Violence and Abuse (CAPVA)
There is currently no legal definition of child to parent violence and abuse. However, it is increasingly recognised as a form of domestic violence and abuse and, depending on the age of the child, it may fall under the government’s official definition of domestic violence and abuse It is important to recognise that CPA is likely to involve a pattern of behaviour.
This can include physical violence from an adolescent towards a parent or carer and a number of different types of abusive behaviours. Violence and abuse can occur together or separately.
Abusive behaviours can encompass, but are not limited to, humiliating language and threats, belittling a parent, damage to property, stealing from a parent and heightened sexualised behaviours.
However, some families might experience episodes of explosive physical violence from their child with fewer controlling, abusive behaviours.
The term ‘child’ in this case also refers to adult children. Grandparents can also experience the abuse from grandchildren.
For more information on support around child to parent abuse, please visit https://www.cambsdasv.org.uk/web/child_adolescent_to_parent_violence_and_abuse/579957
Assessing Risk
DASH RISK INDICATOR CHECKLIST
The most widely used risk assessment is the DASH Risk Indicator Checklist which was developed by national organisation Safe Lives. DASH stands for Domestic Abuse, Stalking and Honour based violence and it is based on research about the indicators of high-risk domestic abuse. The Dash risk indicator checklist is available in several languages, as is guidance on how to use the tool.
The checklist can be used by any professional or volunteer working with a victim of domestic abuse and consists of a list of questions with Yes/No answer options. Where possible, the DASH should always be carried out with the victim in a confidential, quiet space and ALWAYS away from the abuser. Some of the questions on the DASH may be upsetting for the victim to think about.
The higher the number of ‘yes’ answers on the DASH, the more the victim is at risk of serious harm or death.
As well as using the scoring mechanism, professional judgement of risk must be used – especially where it is hard to evidence the abuse or you feel the victim is not sharing everything with you.
In Cambridgeshire, the threshold for referring a case to the IDVA Service is a score of 14 or more (with consent). Referral to MARAC is a score of 17 or more (consent not essential) or professional judgement of high risk. High risk means that the victim is at significant risk of murder and/or serious injury and needs urgent help. At MARAC (Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference) all the relevant local agencies will come together to make a plan to help keep the victim safe.
In Cambridgeshire, we have an Older People’s DASH (OPDASH) that is recommended for use with victims aged 60+. The OP DASH includes questions about risks that may be more relevant to older people such as health, caring responsibilities and familial abuse.
We also have a Young People’s DASH specifically for assessing risk of young people (13-19 or up to 24 with additional needs) who are experiencing abuse in their own intimate relationships. The YP DASH can also be found on our website.
For a short training guide on using the DASH, please visit Completing a DASH Risk Indicator Checklist | Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Safeguarding Partnership Board (safeguardingcambspeterborough.org.uk)
You can download and complete the DASH from the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Partnership website at www.cambsdasv.org.uk.
Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs) provide an independent service offering crisis intervention and support to victims and survivors of domestic abuse. Crisis support is defined as being short-term following a reported incident of abuse.
The IDVA team are based at a Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) at Huntingdon. IDVAS accept referrals from professionals only – for more information on how to refer please visit Cambridgeshire County Council DASV Partnership – Make a Referral (cambsdasv.org.uk)
The Cambs IDVA team work across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough with staff allocated to each district as well as the following specialist IDVA’s:
- Young people IDVAS work with victims aged 13-19 years.
- A8 IDVAs work with victims and survivors from Eastern European A8 countries.
- Health IDVAS accept referrals from any hospital or community based health service.
- Ethnic Minority IDVA works with victims from minority ethnic backgrounds.
- Housing IDVAs work closely with housing providers
IDVAs are able to:
- Talk through clients’ options and give information to help them make decisions.
- Advocate with other partner services on behalf of their clients.
- Assist with personal safety planning for clients and their children in order to reduce risk;
- Support clients through the civil and criminal justice system.
- Support/options given regarding housing and alternative safe accommodation.
- Provide emotional support.
The Duty IDVA is able to offer general advice to professionals only – please email idva.referrals@cambridgeshire.gov.uk or call 01480 847718
Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conferences (MARAC)
Where the DASH score is 17+, or the practitioner can evidence significant risk, the case will go to the next available MARAC meeting for discussion. Where there has been a repeat incident or escalation of abuse, these cases will also go/return to MARAC.
The aims of a MARAC are to:
- Safeguard adult victims at high risk of future domestic violence.
- Make links with other public protection arrangements, such as people presenting a risk to children or vulnerable adults.
- Safeguard staff working with the family.
Representatives of the below statutory and voluntary organisations attend the meeting:
- local police
- health
- housing practitioners
- independent domestic violence advisers (IDVAs)
- probation
- children and adults safeguarding
- substance misuse services
- other specialists
In Cambridgeshire, a MARAC meeting is held 3 times per week. It is preferable to have the consent of the victim before making a referral to MARAC but it is not essential.
You can learn about how to make a referral to MARAC on the Cambridgeshire Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Partnership website at www.cambsdasv.org
Refuges and Outreach Services
A score of below 14 on the DASH should be carefully considered to ensure the most appropriate support is offered to the victim.
Outreach/Mobile Advocacy support is provided by Impakt Domestic Abuse Support Service (DASS). DASS welcome self-referrals or contact from professionals and support victims of all gender identities across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. DASS can be contacted on 0300 373 1073 or email DASSReferrals@impakt.org.uk (Mon-Fri, 9am to 5pm)
There are four refuges across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough for women fleeing domestic abuse, plus a range of accommodation for women with complex needs.
It is not advisable for women to be housed in the area that they live or an area that they have close connections to as this makes it easier for the perpetrator to find them. The IDVA Service and Outreach can place victims in refuges.
Where a crime has been committed, the Cambridgeshire Victim and Witness Hub can offer support and help with accessing services Victim Services | Victim and Witness Hub (cambsvictimservices.co.uk).
When considering risk, it’s important to consider specific risks to the victim that may be affected by things like age, shared children or disability and also risks to other members of the household such as children, extended family or pets.
Abuse rarely ends when the relationship does. Statistically, victims are at higher risk when they leave or end the relationship. Post separation abuse can continue for years after the relationship has ended, especially where the victim and abuser share children. Stalking and harassment behaviours are often used by abusers to monitor the whereabouts of victims and this can continue, or start, after the relationship has ended.
More information about how abusers harm pets in the context of domestic abuse can be found on our website at Cambridgeshire County Council DASV Partnership – Pets (cambsdasv.org.uk) The Animal Abuse Power and Control Wheel can be viewed at https://www.justdigit.org/power-and-control-wheels/
Signs and Indicators
Some facts about domestic abuse:
- It is estimated that 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime.
- People subjected to domestic abuse may live with it for years before they tell anyone or seek help. – the average time taken for someone to leave an abusive relationship is 7 years.
- Domestic Abuse doesn’t just happen in intimate relationships – Familial Abuse and Child to Parent Abuse are also forms of domestic abuse.
- Domestic abuse doesn’t always end when the relationship does – post separation abuse is common.
- Every week two women are killed by a current or former partner.
- There is a much higher risk of self harm and suicide amongst victims of domestic abuse.
- Domestic abuse is not about anger, it’s not caused by alcohol or drugs, it doesn’t just happen to a particular ‘type’ of person – domestic abuse is about one person having power and control over another.
Select each of the words below to find out more about types of abuse and Violence Against Women & Girls (VAWG)
Physical abuse is the most recognisable form of abuse. It can range from a slap or shove to a black eye, cut lip, or broken bone.
In the most extreme cases it can result in death.
Physical abuse doesn’t always leave visible marks or scars.
Having your hair pulled or objects thrown at you is domestic abuse too.
Many women experience domestic abuse without ever being physically abused.
Emotional abuse includes constant criticism, name calling, isolation from friends and family.
Emotional abuse can sometimes turn to physical violence over time.
See Coercive Control tile for more information.
This includes using force or threats to make you have sex or perform sexual acts with which you are uncomfortable.
It can also include taking and distributing of sexual photographs without your consent.
Key Fact: The Crime Survey for England & Wales (March 23) shows that 5.1% of people who experience domestic abuse in their lifetime are subjected to sexual abuse – although the real number is likely to be more due to under-reporting of this type of abuse.
Economic (Financial) abuse might include things like:
- Your partner taking your money or benefits
- Stopping you from working,
- Placing all the bills or debts in your name, or
- Monitoring how you spend money and other financial resources e.g. the telephone
Please watch the short film below from Surviving Economic Abuse
Coercive control is is an act or a pattern of acts of assault, threats, humiliation and intimidation or other abuse that is used to harm, punish, or frighten their victim (Domestic Abuse Act, UK Home Office, 2021)
Coercive Control includes things like:
- making threats to harm (including the abuser threatening to harm themselves if the victim doesn’t comply with their demands
- threatening to harm children or pets
- isolating from friends and family
- monitoring time and how it’s spent (timing supermarket visits for example)
- Tech abuse – monitoring use of social media, using phone tracking apps, CCTV
- controlling finances – how much is spent, not allowing or sabotaging work, insisting benefits are handed over to the abuser
Coercive control is often verbal and it can be hard to evidence. This type of abuse might start off as seemingly normal – wanting to spend lots of time together, saying it’s to keep the victim safe – but over time the control increases.
Key Fact: There were over 43,000 offences of coercive control recorded by the police in England and Wales in the year ending March 2023
The short video below from Scottish Women’s Aid explains some of the signs of coercive control.
Stalking and harassment is a criminal offence.
Stalking and harassment includes behaviours like:
- following – in person, on social media
- unwanted phone calls or text messages
- sending unwanted gifts
- approaching friends, family workplaces/colleagues to try to get to the victim
- Surveillance
- Property damage (including cars)
Key Fact: The police recorded 223,704 domestic abuse-related stalking and harassment offences in the year ending March 2023, accounting for a quarter of all domestic abuse-related crimes. The majority of domestic abuse-related stalking and harassment offences fell within the stalking subgroup category (43.8%), followed by the malicious communications subgroup category (35.9%;).
While there is no statutory definition for Honour Based Abuse, it is defined as
Any incident or pattern of controlling; coercive; manipulative; intimidating; or threatening behaviour, violence, or abuse perpetrated by one or more family, extended
family, and/or community members and/or current/former intimate partners in response to perceived or alleged transgressions of accepted behaviours. While most
often perpetrated against women and girls, anyone can experience honour based
abuse regardless of age, ethnicity, sexuality, religion, or gender, including men and
boys.
It can encompass but is not limited to:
Psychological, emotional, physical, sexual, spiritual and faith-related, economic, financial, and hate-aggravated abuse; forced marriage; female genital mutilation;
abduction; isolation; threats; murder; and other acts of domestic abuse.
People living in the context of an honour dynamic face additional barriers to their
ability to speak out against and report abuse for fear of repercussions including further and more severe abuse; shame; stigma; and being shunned/ostracised.
This definition was created by Karma Nirvana’s Survivor Ambassador Panel
supported by Dr Lauren Eglen, Rights Lab – University of NottinghamKey Fact: In the year ending March 2023, around 3,000 HBA-related offences were recorded by the police in England and Wales
A forced marriage is a marriage in which one or both spouses do not or cannot consent to the marriage and pressure and threats are involved for force agreement such as physical, psychological, financial, sexual and emotional pressure.
Mental Capacity to consent to marriage may need to be ascertained in some cases.
Predatory Marriage is when someone coerces, manipulates or threatens someone into marriage in order to gain financially – either property or money. Older people may be more at risk of predatory marriage.
The legal age for marriage in the UK increased to 18 on 27 February 2023.
An arranged marriage is not the same as a forced marriage.
More Info: The Forced Marriage Unit have a short film highlighting the impact that forced marriage can have on the victim and families.
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is any procedure that’s designed to alter or injure a girl’s (or woman’s) genital organs for non-medical reasons.
Performing, procuring or coercing someone into FGM is illegal in the UK.
It’s sometimes known as ‘female circumcision’ or ‘female genital cutting’. It’s mostly carried out on young girls. There are no recognised physical or hygiene reasons for FGM to be carried out. FGM procedures can cause:
- severe bleeding
- infections
- problems with giving birth later in life – including the death of the baby.
The FGM Act 2003 introduced a legal mandatory duty for regulated health and social care professionals and teachers to make a report to the police if they observe signs of FGM on a child aged under or receive a disclosure from a child aged under 18.
Key Fact: NHS Digital say that since April 2015, 35,415 individual women and girls had an attendance at a Health provider where FGM was identified.
Male Victims
Men can experience domestic violence in both heterosexual and same sex relationships.
Men experiencing domestic abuse may feel ashamed about what is happening or feel like they have done something to deserve it. They might be worried that people will think they are less of a man for ‘allowing’ themselves to be abused.
Refuge places and outreach support for men experiencing domestic abuse is available, although there is less provision than for women.
Key Fact: For the year ending March 2023, the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) estimated that 751,000 men aged 16 years and over experienced domestic abuse in the last year. This is a prevalence rate of approximately 3 in 100 men
- Between March 2020 and March 2022, 87 men were killed in the context of domestic abuse. In the majority of male victim domestic homicides, the suspect was a male family member (66.1%)
- Male victims may feel ashamed and that they are ‘less of a man’ for ‘allowing’ the abuse to happen.
- Perpetrators may tell the victim that they are ‘weak’ or not a ‘real man’.
- With some same-sex victims, threat of ‘outing’ is often used as a way to control by the abuser.
- Threats of not allowing contact with children are sometimes used as a way of controlling victims.
What might a person in an abusive relationship be feeling and experiencing?
Diversity Issues
It’s important to be aware of equality and diversity issues when working with victims of domestic abuse.
Select each of the words below to read more:
Some cultures – or even family values – make it difficult for people in an abusive relationship to seek help.
A failed marriage is often seen as the woman’s fault and she is blamed for letting down the family honour.
In some cultures a woman may not be able to divorce her husband due to religious reasons.
Relationship counselling should never be used where there is domestic abuse as this can increase risk to the victim.
Where a victim has no recourse (entitlement) to public funds (ie benefits) because they are in the UK on a Spousal Visa, the abuser can use this uncertainty to inflict abuse.
The abuser may use threats to report the victim to authorities and say that they won’t be allowed to see their children and will be deported.
For information about domestic abuse support for people with No Recourse to Public Funds, please visit https://survivingeconomicabuse.org/i-need-help/getting-support/no-recourse-to-public-funds/
Some people face the challenge of English not being their first language or they need to communicate in different ways such as British Sign Language.
When working with these individuals professionals should use approved interpreters who have a DBS check.
It is not appropriate to use family members or friends of the victim or members of the extended community to which they belong.
Written information should be available in alternative languages. Also consider using professional advocates where someone needs to communicate differently (ie people with learning disabilities).
A number of reports show that women with a disability are twice as likely to experience domestic abuse as women without a disability.
Some refuges may not have appropriate facilities to accommodate women with physical or learning disabilities.
A victim may rely on the abuser to provide care and support for them which can increase their dependency on the abuser.
Abusers who are also caring for the victim may use tactics such as with-holding care or medication, or over-administering medication as ways to ‘control’ the victim.
Issues of stereotyping can cause shame, isolation and fear about speaking up.
Some refuges may not accept transgender women who have not undergone all medical transition procedures.
People with complex needs, such as problematic substance use, are sometimes excluded from some services and these issues may make it hard for them to engage with support. It’s important to remember that substances are sometimes used by victims as a way to cope with abuse or the abuser may be coercing them into using substances.
Mental Health issues can make someone more vulnerable to abuse and they may feel they will not be believed if they speak out.
Domestic Abuse can impact significantly on mental health, leading to depression, anxiety, PTSD and sometimes suicide.
LGBTQ+ victims of domestic abuse are twice as likely to attempt suicide.
Evidence suggests that LGBTQ+ victims and survivors are not accessing services at the same rate as others in the population.
LGBTQ+ people may also experience unique forms of coercive control targeted at their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Source: Safe Lives Spotlight http://safelives.org.uk/sites/default/files/resources/Free%20to%20be%20safe%20web.pdf
Victims With Mental Health Issues are more likely to:
- Seek support for the abuse from their GP.
- Experience financial difficulties as well as problems with substance misuse.
Victims of abuse with mental health problems can also become homeless due to a number of reasons.
Source – Safe Lives Spotlights http://www.safelives.org.uk/knowledge-hub/spotlights
Domestic Homicide
The Vulnerability, Knowledge and Practice Programme (VKPP) found that between 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2022 there were 470 deaths in total which took place in a domestic setting or following domestic abuse.
43% were intimate partner homicide
24% suspected victim suicide
22% adult family homicide
Of the 249 female domestic homicide victims, the suspect was male in the majority of cases (241). In the majority of female domestic homicides, the suspect was a male partner or ex-partner (74.7%), whereas in the majority of male domestic homicides, the suspect was a male family member (66.1%).
The latest data (March 2020 – March 2022) shows that show that 67.3% of the victims of domestic homicide were female. This contrasts with non-domestic homicides where the majority (87.8%) of victims over the same time period were male.
The Domestic Homicide Timeline was developed by Professor Jane Monckton-Smith – an expert in sexual and fatal violence.
The tool sets out the 8 stages of a domestic homicide timeline which Professor Monkton-Smith established after extensive research into domestic homicides:
-
A pre-relationship history of stalking or abuse by the perpetrator
-
The romance develops quickly into a serious relationship
-
The relationship becomes dominated by coercive control
-
A trigger threatens the perpetrator’s control – for example, the relationship ends or the perpetrator gets into financial difficulty
-
Escalation – an increase in the intensity or frequency of the partner’s control tactics, such as stalking or threatening suicide
-
The perpetrator has a change in thinking – choosing to move on, either through revenge or by homicide
-
Planning – the perpetrator might buy weapons or seek opportunities to get the victim alone
-
Homicide – the perpetrator kills his or her partner and possibly hurts others such as the victim’s children
Online learning on the 8 stages is available at a charge from www.homicidetimeline.co.uk
If you want to learn more about this subject, you can watch the presentation by Dr Monckton-Smith:
Signs to look out for
We’ve explored some different types of abuse. But what are the indicators that abuse is taking place?
Select each of the words below to find out more about these indicators of abuse:
- Sprains, dislocations, fractures or broken bones
- Burns from cigarettes, appliances, or hot water
- Abrasions on arms, legs, or torso that resemble rope or strap marks
- Internal injuries evidenced by pain, difficulty with normal functioning of organs, and bleeding
- Injuries healing through “secondary intention”, indicating they didn’t receive appropriate care
- Signs of traumatic hair and tooth loss
- Repeated injuries to the same parts of the body
The following types of bruises are rarely accidental:
- Bilateral bruising to the arms; look like a series of finger marks, indicating person has been shaken, grabbed or restrained
- Bilateral bruising of inner thighs, indicating possible sexual abuse
- “Wrap around” bruises that encircle a person’s arms, legs, or torso, indicating person has been physically restrained
- Multi-coloured bruises, indicating that they were sustained over time.
Strangulation or choking are often used by abusers – a new offence of Non-Fatal Strangulation came into force in 2022 and perpetrators face up to 5 years in prison. Strangulation and choking can often leave no visible injury. However, it can lead to brain damage, pneumonitis, miscarriage, heart attacks, and delayed death, days or even weeks after the assault.
- A sudden change in an individual’s financial situation; not having as much money as usual or being in debt
- Possessions, such as mobile phone or laptop, being broken or not available
- Individual not having enough food for them or their children
- If you work in the individual’s home, you should be aware of any documents that seem unusual
- Documents relating to the person’s finances go missing.
Behavioural indicators:
- Injuries sustained which are unexplained, or explanations are implausible
- Inconsistent or implausible explanations of how injuries were sustained
- A history of similar injuries, or numerous or suspicious hospitalisations
- Victims are brought to different medical facilities for treatment to prevent medical practitioners from observing a pattern of abuse
- Delay between onset of injury and seeking medical care
Behavioural signs to watch out for include:
- Changing behaviour in front of their partner
- Seeming nervous when with their partner
- Appearing less confident or frightened
- Constant phone calls or texts from their partner
- Cancelling plans at the last minute or making excuses not to meet friends or family
- Apologising for their partners’ behaviour
- Changing appearance, ie dressing more conservatively
- Using social media less (it could be being monitored by their partner).
Common Myths
Why doesn’t she just leave?
Statistically, the most dangerous time for a female victim of domestic abuse is when she leaves her abuser.
She is most likely to be murdered by him at this point.
There are also other significant issues to consider:
- Leaving could mean giving up her job, losing contact with friends and family.
- If there are children they may have to change schools and leave their friends behind.
Alcohol and drugs cause domestic violence.
Whilst there are links between people who have alcohol issues or who take drugs and domestic abuse, there is no evidence that alcohol or drugs cause domestic abuse.
Domestic abuse is about having power and control over someone, whilst taking drugs or misusing alcohol may affect people in different ways, they do not make people become an abuser.
Domestic abuse only happens to people who live in bad areas.
Anyone can be a victim of domestic abuse.
It doesn’t matter where you live, whether you have a job or not, how much money you earn, what your gender or sexual orientation is.
People of all backgrounds, cultures and religions can experience domestic abuse.
If someone experiences violence as a child, they will grow up to be an abuser.
It is acknowledged that children growing up in a violent home are affected in a number of ways and some children who experience abuse do go on to be abusive in their relationships.
But this does not apply to everyone.
Many people are repelled by violence because of what they witnessed as a child and the damage it causes.
Using violence or controlling behaviour is a choice that abusers make.
The police don’t respond to calls about a ‘domestic’.
Domestic violence is taken very seriously by the police.
Officers receive training in how to respond to calls about domestic abuse and what they should do when arriving at the scene.
Many forms of domestic abuse are a crime and the police can pursue a crime even without the consent of the victim.
S/he brings it on himself/herself.
The victim is NEVER to blame for domestic abuse.
There is NO EXCUSE for violent and abusive behaviour.
Domestic violence is a private matter, you shouldn’t interfere in a marriage.
Some people think that what goes on in the home is private, and they shouldn’t get involved.
This view is outdated and harmful.
Domestic abuse can affect anyone and we all have a responsibility to speak out.
Domestic violence is a crime – It is against the law.
Introduction | DA
Review the short video of common statements regarding domestic abuse. The video has no sound
Key facts:
- The Crime Survey for England and Wales estimated that 2.1 million people aged 16 years and over (1.4 million women and 751,000 men) experienced domestic abuse in the year ending March 2023.
- There were 51,288 domestic abuse-related prosecutions in England and Wales for the year ending March 2023, compared with 53,207 in the year ending March 2022.
- Domestic Abuse is about an abuser (or abusers) having power and control over another person (or people)
- Domestic abuse occurs in every racial, socioeconomic, ethnic and religious group.
- Domestic Abuse is often referred to as a ‘gendered crime’ – this is because data shows that the majority of victims are female, and the majority of abusers are male. However, men and people of all gender identities can experience domestic abuse.
Cambridgeshire Data for 2022-23 highlights that:
- The Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Independent Domestic Violence Advisory Service received over 3000 referrals, a 26% increase on the previous year.
- Over 13,000 domestic abuse incidents were reported to Cambridgeshire Constabulary, this is a slight decrease on the previous year.
- Specialist Outreach services received over 800 referrals.
- Women’s Refuges across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough supported 73 women and their children.
Domestic Abuse Act 2021 Definitions
Select each of the headings to expand the definitions
Behaviour of a person “A” towards another person “B” is domestic abuse if
- A and B are each aged 16 or over and are personally connected to each other
- And the behaviour is abusive.
Behaviour is abusive if it consists of any of the following:
- Physical or Sexual Abuse
- Violent or Threatening Behaviour
- Controlling or Coercive Behaviour
- Economic Abuse
- Psychological, Emotional or Other Abuse
It does not matter whether the behaviour consists of a single incident or a course of conduct.
1)For the purposes of this Act, two people are “personally connected” to each other if any of the following applies—
(a)they are, or have been, married to each other;
(b)they are, or have been, civil partners of each other;
(c)they have agreed to marry one another (whether or not the agreement has been terminated);
(d)they have entered into a civil partnership agreement (whether or not the agreement has been terminated);
(e)they are, or have been, in an intimate personal relationship with each other;
(f)they each have, or there has been a time when they each have had, a parental relationship in relation to the same child (see subsection (2));
(g)they are relatives.
For the purposes of subsection (1)(f) a person has a parental relationship in relation to a child if:
- the person is a parent of the child, or the person has parental responsibility for the child
- “child” means a person under the age of 18 years
- “civil partnership agreement” has the meaning given by section 73 of the Civil Partnership Act 2004
- “parental responsibility” has the same meaning as in the Children Act 1989
- “relative” has the meaning given by section 63(1) of the Family Law Act 1996
Controlling Behaviour is:
A range of acts designed to make a person subordinate and/or dependent by isolating them from sources of support, exploiting their resources and capacities for personal gain, depriving them of the means needed for independence, resistance and escape and regulating their everyday behaviour.
Coercive Behaviour is:
An act or a pattern of acts of assault, threats, humiliation and intimidation or other abuse that is used to harm, punish, or frighten their victim. This definition includes so called ‘honour’ based violence, female genital mutilation (FGM) and forced marriage, and is clear that victims are not confined to one gender or ethnic group.
The Duluth Power and Control Wheel
In 1984, staff at the Domestic Abuse Intervention Project (DAIP) in Duluth, America, US began developing curricula for groups for men who batter and victims of domestic violence. They wanted a way to describe battering for victims, offenders, practitioners in the criminal justice system and the general public. Over several months, they convened focus groups of women who had been battered. The outcome of the project was the Duluth Power and Control Wheel.
Find Out More: https://www.theduluthmodel.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/PowerandControl.pdf
Since the development of the Power and Control Wheel, several other versions have been developed to reflect risks to specific groups of victim/survivors – other versions will appear throughout the module.
The Duluth Model
In 1984, staff at the Domestic Abuse Intervention Project (DAIP) began developing curricula for groups for men who batter and victims of domestic violence. They wanted a way to describe battering for victims, offenders, practitioners in the criminal justice system and the general public. Over several months, they convened focus groups of women who had been battered.
“We listened to heart-wrenching stories of violence, terror and survival.”
After listening to these stories and asking questions, we documented the most common abusive behaviors or tactics that were used against these women. The tactics [chosen to be represented in the Duluth Power and Control Wheel,] were those that were most universally experienced by battered women.
Duluth Power and Control Model
Battering is one form of domestic or intimate partner violence. It is characterized by the pattern of actions that an individual uses to intentionally control or dominate his intimate partner.
That is why the words “power and control” are in the center of the wheel. A batterer systematically uses threats, intimidation, and coercion to instill fear in his partner. These behaviors are the spokes of the wheel. Physical and sexual violence holds it all together—this violence is the rim of the wheel.
Making the Power and Control Wheel gender neutral would hide the power imbalances in relationships between men and women that reflect power imbalances in society.
By naming the power differences, we can more clearly provide advocacy and support for victims, accountability and opportunities for change for offenders, and system and societal changes that end violence against women.
Now complete the short quiz below to record your learning before you can progress to the next module.