Domestic violence victims set on fire in the North East

 According to Newcastle City Council In the Northumbria Police area there were 4.94 incidents of domestic violence per 1,000 residents in the first three months of 2011/12 – slightly higher than the ‘Most Similar Force’ average of 4.13.But in the same period 50.6 per cent on domestic violence incidents in Northumbria involved a repeat victim – compared to an MSF average of 27.9 per cent – placing Northumbria in the highest group.

Trials of Clare's law will take place in 3 separate police forces in September 2013.  Under the law any person will be able to check whether or not their partner has an abusive past and if they are at threat.  This will be no doubt carried out on a risk-based approach by the police but is an important safeguard.  The trials will take place in Nottinghamshire, Greater Manchester and Wiltshire.Victims of domestic violence may suffer from injury, sexually transmitted infections, anxiety, depression, substance misuse, eating disorders, self harm and suicide. Nationally, two women are murdered every week by their partner or former partner.

In Newcastle victims have been: set on fire, burnt with cigarettes, tied up, starved and beaten, forced to have sex with their partners’ associates, forced to marry men who have raped them and repeatedly kicked until they miscarried.  More than half of all reported incidents of domestic violence in Newcastle involve children who will witness abuse or directly abused themselves.

The peak age group for domestic violence is 20-24 which accounts for 21 per cent of victims in Newcastle in the last three years – the group also most likely to have small children.

In Newcastle 43 per cent of initial child protection conferences had domestic violence as a factor, in 44 per cent of these alcohol misuse was an issue, in 38 per cent drugs misuse and in 27 per cent both drugs and alcohol. See http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/news-story/tackling-domestic-violence-newcastle for more details

According to a recent NSPCC study, 12% of under 11s, 18% of 11-17s and 24% of 18-24s had been exposed to domestic abuse between adults in their homes during childhood. Adult males were the perpetrators in 94% of cases where one parent had physically abused another.

In a study of 268 serious case reviews, 34% of cases were found to have domestic abuse as a risk factor.
Brandon, M., Bailey, S. and Belderson, P. (2010) Building on the learning from serious case reviews: a two-year analysis of child protection database notifications 2007-2009. London: Department for Education

Domestic abuse accounts for 18% of all violent crime.
Home Office (2011) Crime in England and Wales 2010/11. London: Home Office

 I know from my own experience how brutal these attacks upon women can be having seen some shocking injuries inflicted by abusive partners.  That's why I'm advocating a change in the law to ensure criminals who commit serious violence or sexual attacks against women, children or the elderly receive 2 strikes and then out, i.e. life imprisonment on second offence.