Changes to the definition of Domestic Violence | Warwickshire News

Warwickshire has implemented new government advice regarding the definition of domestic violence ahead of today?s Home Office announcements.

News reports today confirm that following a public consultation the government will officially amend the definition of ?domestic violence? from March 2013 to include young people under 18. It will now also explicitly include ?coercive control?, a systematic pattern of abuse and control.

Domestic Abuse Services in Warwickshire have been available to those aged 16 and over since April 2012 when Warwickshire launched the new Domestic Abuse Support Service and Domestic Abuse Refuge Service.

This change to include young people in the official definition of domestic violence used by police, crown prosecutors, local authorities and other agencies will ensure that the thousands of teenage victims who are abused while in a relationship or after a relationship has ended get the help and support that they need.

It also aims to increase awareness that young people in this age-group do experience domestic violence and abuse.

The British Crime Survey has recently found that young people are more likely to suffer partner abuse than any other age group, with 12.7 per cent of women and 6.2 per cent of men aged 16-19 having experienced some kind of domestic abuse in the last year.

The new definition of domestic violence is:

Any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour,? violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are or have been intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality. This can encompass but is not limited to the following types of abuse:

• psychological
• physical
• sexual
• financial
• emotional

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.

Services in Warwickshire have also long acknowledged that domestic abuse is rarely a one off incident. Perpetrators of domestic abuse use complex, systematic patterns of power and control in order to isolate, intimidate, punish, frighten, and harm victims. They deprive victims of independence, resistance, escape and regulate their everyday behaviour.

Sue Ingram, Warwickshire County Council?s Domestic Abuse Manager said:

?We are really pleased that the trauma suffered by young people in abusive relationships is being recognised and that? services will now be able to offer young people the right support.

?Our message to anyone affected by domestic abuse, no matter how young, even if it isn?t an act of violence, is that you do not have to put up with the abuse and you do not have to go through this alone. There are services that can listen to you, provide information, help and support. Please do contact someone. Talking to someone can help.?

Detective Inspector Roy Wheelwright, Head of the Domestic Abuse Unit at Warwickshire Police said: ?We take every report of domestic abuse seriously, no matter what the age of the people involved. If you call us we will listen to you; take you seriously and do our best to protect you and your family. Warwickshire Police have specially trained domestic abuse officers and we can refer you to any relevant support agencies.?

Anyone seeking information and support about domestic abuse can access the Warwickshire Against Domestic Abuse free helpline on 0800 408 1552, available between 8am and 8pm Monday to Friday, and 9am to 4pm Saturday.

There is also a website ? www.talk2someone.org.uk ? which offers information and support for victims, families, friends and neighbours as well as perpetrators, who may be looking to turn things around.

If you are in immediate danger contact Warwickshire Police by dialling 999 -. Warwickshire Police can also be contacted on 01926 415000.

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Source: http://news.warwickshire.gov.uk/releases/2012/09/19/changes-to-the-definition-of-domestic-violence/

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