In the Dock: Anyone can be a victim of domestic violence

 21/11/2012

November is Domestic Violence Awareness month and the CPS is working with partner organisations to highlight this distressing area of offending and encourage victims to come forward.

Nationally, the police receive one call every minute in relation to domestic violence and women suffer an average of 34 to 40 incidents of domestic abuse before they report it.  One in four women will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime and two women a week are killed by their current or former male partner.

Anyone can be affected by domestic violence: young or old, male or female, gay or straight, in a relationship or living with other family members. It should not be overlooked that one in six men will experience domestic abuse at some time and that almost 4,500 women were prosecuted for domestic violence in 2009.

According to recent crime statistics for England and Wales, 4% of men have been victims of domestic abuse. Charities say more male victims are coming forward and there is some evidence to suggest the number of women abusing men is increasing.

Figures from the national helpline for male victims of domestic abuse show that in 2009 their staff spoke to 2,300 callers and answered 850 emails. Last year, it had more than 3,000 callers and replied to 1,200 emails a 35% increase.

Sixty per cent of these men reported some form of physical abuse, including being hit, beaten, or stabbed. Men also appear to suffer higher levels of emotional, psychological and financial abuse. Much of it centres on control, and the problems often start long before a relationship descends into physical harm.

On 8 November at Truro Crown Court, Sandra Clinch was convicted of manslaughter (on the grounds of diminished responsibility) and sentenced to nine years imprisonment. During the seven day trial, the jury heard how she killed her husband Alan with a pair of dress-making scissors during an argument at their home near Liskeard on 13 May.

Sentencing Clinch, His Honour Judge Cottle said:  "The evidence established beyond doubt you have been aggressive, abusive and violent towards previous partners as well as your children. He (Mr Clinch) was a meek, mild-mannered and gentle man, who simply took what you handed out. This time, when your temper exploded, you killed somebody: your husband."

The CPS and our partners have been working hard over recent years to improve the way all types of domestic violence are handled: 
The police are better trained to recognise and deal effectively with domestic violence;
Cases are now heard at specialist domestic violence courts where Magistrates and court staff are all trained to deal specifically with this type of offence;
Witness Care Officers now offer support to vulnerable and intimidated victims and work closely with domestic violence survivors organisations;
The wider use of special measures like video links that enable witnesses to give evidence remotely has encouraged more victims to come to court.

Although there is still a long way to go, all this work is starting to pay off and last year more than 73% of domestic cases brought to court resulted in successful prosecutions.

We all need to be aware of the problem of domestic violence in all its forms and do everything we can to encourage victims, whether they are male or female, to come forward.

Local and national support services

Womens Domestic Violence Support Network (WDVSN) in Cornwall: 01208 79992 http://www.wrsac.org.uk/services-offered/womens-domestic-violence-support-network

Women's Aid National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247

Respect- for people who have, or fear they might, commit domestic violence: 0808 8024040; www.respectphoneline.org.uk

Esteem- supports men in Cornwall affected by domestic abuse: 01209 202688 www.esteemmen.co.uk

ManKind- national charity supporting male victims of domestic violence: 01823 334244; www.mankind.org.uk

Broken Rainbow supports lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people experiencing domestic violence: 0300 999 5428; broken-rainbow.org.uk