Based on the British Crime Survey, domestic violence is the largest single form of crime against women in the UK. In the British Crime Survey of 2007/2008, domestic violence accounted for about one in six violent incidents, approximately 16%.
33% of violent incidents against women were domestic violence and 85% of victims of incidents of domestic violence were women. Domestic violence was the only category of violence for which the risk for women (0.6%) was significantly higher than for men (0.2%).
Out of all the categories that comprise ‘serious violence’ which the British Crime Survey considers in its report, domestic violence has the highest percentage, 45%, of repeat victimisation, and repeat victimisation accounts for 73% of all incidents of domestic violence. In the majority of incidents of domestic violence the victims were women i.e. 85%.
The key features of domestic violence incidents are that the risks for women are higher than for men, women are disproportionately affected by domestic violence incidents, a significant proportion of all violent incidents against women are domestic violence incidents, and domestic violence has the highest percentage of repeat victimisation which counts for the majority of all incidents of domestic violence.
Domestic violence includes assaults, woundings, violence against the person, can include sexual crimes, can result in acts endangering life such as poisoning and can result in death. According to Homicide Statistics, 1998, every week two women are killed by their current or former partners. In 2008, domestic violence still claims up to two lives a week. Confirmed by statistics, domestic violence is gendered violence.
Many women using mental health services are likely to have experienced sexual or physical abuse at some time in their lives. Research in 2004 showed that domestic violence cost the health service £1.4 billion.Violent experiences can clearly have very damaging long-term consequences for women including physical and mental health problems. With regard to violence in the community, sexual harassment, for example, can not only be humiliating, it may constitute a health and safety problem.
‘The fear and reality of violence…is a major cause of death and disability for women and is linked to mental health problems including depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), attempted and successful suicide; and misuse of drugs and alcohol.
The purpose of any Health Strategy is primarily to reduce the determinants that result in variable standards across the town affecting employment, housing, income, poverty levels and access to public services; it is evident that the prevalence of violence against women in Yorkshire and the Humber and in certain other areas of the UK and the ensuing health risks is a relevant determinant that must inform any strategies and policy decisions.
It is thus well established that violence against women puts health and lives at risk.
Housing
The consequences of violence against women engage a variety of legal issues; marital or relationship breakdown, financial matters following relationship breakdown, harassment, trafficking, asylum/immigration and criminal injuries compensation as well as housing matters. Expenditure on emergency housing includes costs to Local Housing Authorities and Housing Associations for housing those homeless because of domestic violence; housing benefit for such emergency housing; and, importantly, refuges.This amounts to £16 billion a year.
There is statutory provision and guidance in existence for local authorities to take into account in exercising their powers in relation to allocation. Under Part VII of the Housing Act 1996, as amended by the Homelessness Act 2002, local authorities may have a duty to accommodate victims of domestic or other violence, who are eligible for assistance, because the violence they have suffered or are suffering makes it unreasonable for them to continue to occupy their current accommodation.Women may also rely on the domestic or other violence they have suffered as making them vulnerable on the grounds of ‘any other special reason’ under section 189 of the Housing Act which would give them a priority need for accommodation. However, the decision making remains with the local authority.
In formulating a strategy for the elimination of Violence towards Women the British National Party are well placed. Our stance for protectionist policies are well known and can be found at British National Party Policies
These include:- Economic Development
- Policing
- Environment
- Culture
- Housing
- Health
- Employment
- Education
- Immigration
Vote for Enis Dalton on Thursday 3rd March 2011.
Moving Forward Together with Enis Dalton
and the British National Party
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