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Our
understanding of Domestic Violence
Some
facts about domestic violence
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Our
definition of Domestic Violence
TRYangle defines domestic violence as the
systematic use of violence and abuse to gain power over and to control a
partner or ex-partner. Domestic violence occurs across all cultures,
ages, ethnic groups and social classes. As well as covering physical
violence – including all forms of aggressive or unwanted physical
contact and sexual violence – domestic violence includes non-physical
abuse such as verbal, social, racist, psychological or emotional abuse,
threats, neglect, harassment and the use of economic, structural,
institutional or even spiritual abuse.
Although only physical
and sexual violence and some forms of racist abuse and harassment are
actually illegal, all these other forms of domestic violence also have
harmful and lasting effects on the victim and on witnesses, especially
children – TRYangle takes them all seriously.
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Our
understanding of Domestic Violence
The
work at TRYangle is underpinned by the following understanding of
domestic violence:
- Domestic violence is unacceptable behaviour
- The right to live free from intimidation abuse and violence
is a basic human right
- Domestic violence is very common – one in four women will
experience domestic violence
- Domestic violence is very dangerous – each week in the UK
2 women a week are killed by a partner or ex-partner
- The abuser is 100% responsible for his abusive behaviour
- Domestic violence is not the fault or responsibility of the
woman – no woman ever deserves to be abused no matter what
she says or does
- Violence towards a partner is intentional and instrumental
behaviour – it’s about a man controlling his partner’s
behaviour and establishing the power to set the rules within
the relationship
- Violence towards a partner is learned behaviour
- Domestic violence is rooted in gender inequalities within
historical and institutional power structures in society
- Men can change – his behaviour is within his control and
he can choose to stop – however making changes is far from
easy and many men do not have sufficient motivation
- Women cannot stop men’s violence – but there may be
things they can do to increase their own and their
children’s safety
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There were 36 domestic violence murders in the Capital in
2001;
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Every six minutes a victim of domestic violence contacts
police in London for help;
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Almost half of those subjected to domestic violence will
tell someone about their experiences;
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One in ten of us will have a family member or friend who is
a victim of domestic violence in London.
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