Statistics and Research Branch
Experience of Domestic Violence: Findings from the 2006/07 Northern Ireland Crime Survey
Research and Statistical Bulletin 10/2008 M Carmichael
Produced by Statistics and Research Branch, Northern Ireland Office For additional copies write to: Statistics and Research Branch, Massey House, Stormont Estate, Belfast BT4 3SX Telephone: 028 9052 7157 Fax: 028 9052 7532 Email: statistics.nio@nics.gov.uk This bulletin and other research and statistical publications are also available on the Internet at: www.nio.gov.uk
EXPERIENCE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN NORTHERN IRELAND
KEY FINDINGS
N Findings revealed that 1 in 7 (14%) respondents to the Northern Ireland Crime Survey, aged 16-59, claim to have been victims of domestic violence at some time in their lives, with females reporting a higher victimisation rate than males (18% compared with 10%) (Figure 1.1 and Figure 2.1). N Fifteen percent of 16-29 year olds and 14% of 30-59 year olds claimed to have been victims of domestic violence (Figure 2.2). N Similar proportions of Catholic and Protestant respondents experienced domestic violence (15% and 14% respectively) (Figure 2.3). N Respondents from the Belfast area had higher victimisation rates than those from the East or West of Northern Ireland (17%, 14% and 14% respectively) (Figure 2.4). N Twenty-one percent of female victims had suffered threats and/or force from a partner while they were pregnant. N Victims claimed that half (50%) of the perpetrators were under the influence of alcohol and 9% were under the influence of drugs at the time of their worst incident (Figure 2.5) N Analysis of repeat victimisation revealed that 59% of all victims experienced domestic violence from the same perpetrator on more than one occasion; 35% were victimised four times or more (Figure 3.1). N Over three fifths (64%) of victims sustained injuries as a result of their ‘worst’ incident. The most frequently reported type of injury was ‘mental or emotional problems’ – reported by a third (34%) of the victims recalling their worst incident (Table 4.1). N Three in ten victims (30%) believed that their worst incident had been seen and/or heard by children. N Sixty-four percent of victims considered their worst incident to be domestic violence (Figure 4.1) N Forty-three percent of victims believed their worst incident constituted a crime, while 18% considered it as ‘just something that happens’ (Figure 4.2). N The police came to know about 1 in 5 (20%) of the worst incidents of domestic violence identified through the 2006/07 NICS. N Forty-one percent of respondents felt that the government and its agencies such as the police and the courts were doing too little to address the problem (Figure 5.1).
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INTRODUCTION
This bulletin is based on findings from the 2006/07 Northern Ireland Crime Survey (NICS), a personal and anonymous interview survey of adults living in private households throughout Northern Ireland. Previously conducted in 1994/95, 1998, 2001, 2003/04 and 2005 the NICS began operating on a continuous basis in January 2005. This bulletin is based on the findings from the field work carried out from April 2006 to March 2007 and outlines key results derived from a computer-assisted self-interviewing (CASI) module in the NICS asking about domestic violence. To enable comparisons with the 2006/07 British Crime Survey (BCS), only respondents to the 2006/07 NICS aged from 16 to 59 were asked to complete the domestic violence module. Of the 3,793 respondents who took part in the 2006/07 NICS, 2,627 were aged 16 to 59 and were therefore eligible to complete the domestic violence module. However, 587 individuals within this age category failed to complete the module, leaving a valid base number of 2,040. The CASI approach was adopted as it emphasises anonymity and confidentiality on a subject that is very sensitive and personal to victims of domestic violence. While no official definition of domestic violence was presented to respondents, the CASI questionnaire was designed to include any violence between current or former partners in an intimate relationship. The violence may include physical, sexual, emotional, financial or social abuse (Table I). A substantial section of the questionnaire focused on what each respondent considered their ‘worst’ incident, which must have included an element of (physical) force and/or (frightening) threats (options ‘d’ to ‘k’ [excludes option ‘l’] in Table I).
Table I: Types of domestic violence identified by the NICS
Category Abuse Form of domestic violence
a. Prevented you from having your fair share of the household money b. Stopped you from seeing friends or relatives c. Deliberately damaged your property1
Threat Force
d. Frightened you, by threatening to hurt you or some one close to you e. Pushed you, held or pinned you down or slapped you2 f. Kicked you, bitten you, or hit you with a fist or something else, or threw something at you that hurt you3 g. Choked or tried to strangle you3 h. Threatened you with a weapon, such as a stick or a knife3 i. Threatened to kill you3 j. Forced you to have sex when you didn't want to1,3 k. Used a weapon against you, e.g. a knife3 l. Used some other kind of force against you
Notes: 1. Not included in the domestic violence section of the 2006/07 BCS 2. Considered 'minor' force by both 2006/07 NICS and BCS 3. Considered 'severe' force by 2006/07 NICS (2006/07 BCS also includes category ‘l’ but excludes ‘j’)
The bulletin provides some police statistics relating to domestic incidents and crimes with a domestic motivation. However police statistics cannot provide the full extent of domestic violence as many incidents are not reported. In addition, the police figures cannot give an insight into a victim’s personal experience or perceptions of domestic violence. Hence, it is necessary to complement the police figures with information drawn from the NICS which, within the limitations of both sampling and non-sampling error, provides a more complete measure of domestic violence in Northern Ireland (Freel & Robinson, 2005). Research and Statistical Bulletin 10/2008 | 2
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The bulletin considers the survey findings from the domestic violence module of the 2006/07 NICS under the following five headings: 1. The extent of domestic violence in Northern Ireland 2. The risk factors associated with domestic violence victimisation 3. The characteristics of domestic violence victimisation 4. The effects of domestic violence 5. Public opinion on government policy to tackle domestic violence
POLICE STATISTICS1
The PSNI define a domestic incident2 as any incident of threatening behaviour, violence or abuse (psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional) by one family member against another or between adults who are or have been intimate partners, regardless of gender and of whether a crime has occurred or not. Not all domestic incidents will result in the recording of a crime (PSNI, 2007). Between 2005/06 and 2006/07 the number of domestic incidents reported to PSNI increased by 2% from 23,059 to 23,456 (Table II). However the number of domestic crimes3 recorded in 2006/07, decreased by 6% compared with 2005/06. More than two thirds (70%) of all the domestic crimes were categorised as violent4 and of the remaining offences, criminal damage and breach of non-molestation orders accounted for 15% and 10% of the total respectively (PSNI, 2007).
Table II: Domestic incidents and crimes recorded by PSNI 2004/05 - 2006/07
2004/05 Total number of domestic incidents Total number of crimes:
20,959 9,656
2005/06
23,059 10,768
2006/07
23,456 10,115
% change from 2005/06 to 2006/07
2% increase 6% decrease
Where the gender of the victim was known, 75% of adult5 victims of domestic crimes recorded by the PSNI in 2006/07 were female.
1. PSNI percentages have been rounded to the nearest whole number to be consistent with the rest of the bulletin 2. The definition of domestic violence used by the PSNI to compile these statistics (PSNI, 2007) differs from that used in the NICS therefore the statistics are not directly comparable. 3. Do not include assault on police but include breach of non-molestation orders. The breach of non-molestation order has been recorded as a notifiable offence under the Home Office Counting rules since 1st April 2005. 4. Violent crime includes offences against the person, sexual offences and robbery. 5. Defined as aged 17 and over on this occasion.
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SURVEY FINDINGS
All percentages stated in this bulletin have been weighted to prevent bias towards small households and have been rounded to the nearest whole number. Any survey is necessarily subject to the vagaries of sampling and its results may correspondingly involve a degree of sampling error. The extent of sampling error is inevitably greater when small numbers are involved. In the present case, this applies particularly to any sub-analysis within the group of respondents who reported experience of domestic violence (who represent a total of 350 respondents). On this basis any analysis involving profiles within the victim group should be regarded as indicative only.
1. THE EXTENT OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN NORTHERN IRELAND
1.1 Prevalence rates
Findings revealed that 1 in 7 (14%) respondents to the 2006/07 NICS who were aged 16-59 had experienced domestic violence as categorised in Table I. A higher percentage of females (18%) than males (10%) claimed to have been victims of domestic violence. Eight percent of respondents were subjected to abuse, 5% to threats, 9% to force and 6% to severe force6. The proportions have remained the same from 2005 (Figure 1.1). Force was the most likely type of domestic violence experienced by females (13%) while males were most likely to experience abuse (7%).
Figure 1.1: Life-time prevalence of domestic violence in Northern Ireland, 2001-2006/07
1.2 Nature of Domestic Violence
Figure 1.2 shows the different forms of domestic violence that respondents to the NICS experienced from 2001 to 2006/07. The most likely type of domestic violence respondents were subjected to was “pushed, pinned down or slapped”, 7% in 2006/07 compared with 6% in 2005. The 2006/07 BCS and the 2006 Scottish Crime and Victimisation Survey (SCVS) findings also revealed that this type of domestic violence was the most common in England & Wales and Scotland respectively (Hoare & Jansson, 2008 and Hamlyn & Brown, 2007). The next most likely forms of domestic violence identified by the NICS in the past 4 surveys were “stopped from seeing friends/relatives” and “threatened to hurt you/someone close to you”, experienced by 6% and 5% of respondents respectively in 2006/07.
6. The 6% of respondents subjected to severe force are a subset of the 9% subjected to force in general. The 2 categories are not therefore mutually exclusive.
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Figure 1.2: Forms of domestic violence identified in Northern Ireland, 2001-2006/07
3
Prevented share of household money
4 3 3 5 6 6
Stopped from seeing friends/relatives
3 3 3 3
5
Deliberately damaged property
Threatened to hurt you/someone close
4
5 5 5 6 7 6 7
Form of domestic violence
Pushed, pinned down or slapped
4 4 4 4 2 2 2 2 2 2
Kicked, bitten, hit
Choked, strangled
1
Threatened with a weapon
1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Threatened to kill
Forced to have sex
2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Used a weapon
0.5
Used other force 0
2001 2 3 4
2003/04 5
2005 6
2006/07 7 8
1
% of respondents
1.3 Comparison with 2006/07 British Crime Survey7
Table 1.1 includes the prevalence figures for categories of domestic violence in Northern Ireland that can be directly compared with England and Wales as identified by the 2006/07 BCS. The findings suggest that victimisation rates in Northern Ireland are consistently lower than in England and Wales. Twenty-three percent of respondents to the 2006/07 BCS claimed to be victims of intimate partner abuse during their lifetime, 28% percent of females and 17% of males. Table 1.1: Comparative prevalence rates of domestic violence in Northern Ireland and England & Wales (%), 2001-2006/07
2006/07 Nature of violence Prevented you from having your fair share of household's money Stopped you from seeing friends or relatives Frightened you by threatening to hurt you or someone close to you Pushed you, held you down or slapped you Kicked, bit or hit you with a fist or threw something at you that hurt you Choked or tried to strangle you Threatened you with a weapon such as a stick or a knife Threatened to kill you Used a weapon against you e.g. a knife Used some other kind of force against you Northern Ireland Female
5 6 9 11 5 3 2 1 1 <1
2006/07 England & Wales Female
7 11 11 15 10 5 3 4 2 5
Male
1 5 2 3 3 1 1 <1 <1 2
Male
3 8 1 5 8 <1 2 1 1 2
Notes 1. Prevalence rates for England & Wales have been rounded to the nearest whole number to enable direct comparison with Northern Ireland. Published findings from the 2006/07 BCS (Hoare & Jansson, 2007) are presented to one decimal place. 2. ‘<1’ denotes values less than 0.5% therefore are not rounded up to 1. 7. The overall total domestic violence victimisation rate in England & Wales cannot be directly compared with the victimisation rate in Northern Ireland as an additional category of domestic violence is included in the 2006/07 BCS
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2. THE RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMISATION
2.1 Gender
The findings from the 2006/07 NICS suggest a higher prevalence of domestic violence among females than among males (18% and 10% respectively.) . While these figures indicate that females are more vulnerable to domestic violence they also suggest that a relatively high proportion of males are likely to experience domestic violence during their lifetime.
Figure 2.1: Life-time prevalence of domestic violence by gender, 2001-2006/07
Kimmel (2002) stated that women’s violence against men in domestic relationships does happen but it is different from men’s violence against women – it is far less injurious, and less likely to be motivated by a desire to dominate or control their partner. These beliefs are shared by Belknap and Melton (2005), who in their research review, conclude that intimate partner abuse is gendered as males are more likely to be the perpetrators but yet point out that it is necessary to recognise that there are females who are abusive and violent to their intimate male partners. Kimmel (2002) states that compassion and adequate intervention strategies must explore the full range of domestic violence – not only that both women and men are capable of using violence but also the different rates of injury and the different types of violence.
Table 2.1: Domestic violence victimisation rates by category and gender, 2001-2006/07
2001 Female % Abuse Threat Force Severe force Threat and/or force All forms
10 6 11 7 13 16
2003/04 Female %
11 8 13 7 15 19
2005 Female %
9 8 11 7 13 16
2006/07 Female %
9 9 13 8 15 18
Male %
7 1 6 5 7 11
Male %
7 2 5 4 6 11
Male %
6 2 6 5 6 10
Male %
7 2 5 4 6 10
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2.2 Age
Historically those aged 16-29 have reported a marginally higher prevalence of domestic violence. In the 2006-07 NICS, 15% of 16-29 year olds claimed to have been victims of domestic violence compared with 14% of 30-59 year olds. (Figure 2.2) The respective figures from the 2005 survey were 16% and 12%.
Figure 2.2: Life-time prevalence of domestic violence by age, 2001-2006/07
2.3 Community Backround
Similar proportions of Catholic and Protestant respondents were identified as victims – 15% and 14% respectively (Figure 2.3). The proportions of Catholics and Protestants who claimed to be victims in 2005 were 13% for both community backgrounds.
Figure 2.3: Life-time prevalence of domestic violence by religion, 2001-2006/07
2.4 Area of residence
For the purposes of analysis, Northern Ireland was divided into 3 regions: Belfast, East Northern Ireland and West Northern Ireland. Respondents from the Belfast area had higher victimisation rates than residents in the East or West of Northern Ireland (17%, 14% and 14% respectively) (Figure 2.4). When respondents’ home addresses were categorised into urban or rural, the rate of domestic violence victimisation was found to be 17% in urban and 11% in rural areas. Gender analysis revealed 21% of females and 12% of males living in urban areas experienced domestic violence compared with 14% and 8% of females and males respectively living in rural areas.
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Figure 2.4: Prevalence of domestic violence by area of residence, 2001-2006/07
2.5 Pregnancy
Mezey and Bewley (1997) highlighted the increased dangers to women and their unborn children during pregnancy as research had indicated that domestic violence may commence or escalate during this time. In the 2006/07 NICS around a fifth (21%) of female victims of domestic violence reported being subjected to threats or force while they were pregnant. For 22 out of 36, the domestic violence started during the pregnancy. A successful pilot scheme to ask pregnant women routinely about domestic violence was undertaken by midwives at the Royal Jubilee Maternity Unit in conjunction with Belfast and Lisburn Women’s Aid and NI Women’s Aid Federation. Other HSS Trusts then introduced the routine enquiry (DHSS&PS & NIO, 2005) and from March 2007 it has become policy for the procedure to be rolled out across all maternity units.
2.6 Alcohol and drug abuse
Victims identified by the 2006/07 NICS, claimed that half (50%) of the perpetrators were under the influence of alcohol at the time of their worst incident (Figure 2.5). These findings are similar to those from the 2005 National Study of Domestic Abuse (NSDA) in the Republic of Ireland where 57% of perpetrators had been drinking at the time of a serious incident (Watson & Parsons, 2005). A study funded by the Home Office in 2003 discovered a history of alcohol abuse in 49% of a sample of convicted domestic violence offenders. Alcohol consumption was also a feature in a majority of the offences (62%) (Gilchrist et al, 2003). Figure 2.5: The influence of alcohol and drug abuse in the worst incident, 2006/07
Nine percent of victims identified by the 2006/07 NICS stated that the perpetrators of their worst incident were under the influence of drugs at the time of their worst incident (Figure 2.5). Research and Statistical Bulletin 10/2008 | 8
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3 THE CHARACTERISTICS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMISATION8
3.1 Repeat victimisation
Inter-personal violence is frequently marked by very high rates of repeat victimisation, where the same person is subject to multiple incidents of the same type of event (Walby & Allen, 2004). The 2006/07 NICS revealed that 59% of victims experienced domestic violence from the same perpetrator more than once and 35% were victimised four times or more (Figure 3.1). Figure 3.1: Frequency of domestic violence from the perpetrator of the worst incident, 2006/07
As a caveat, this analysis cannot account for repeat victimisation by multiple perpetrators and as a consequence it may not reflect the full extent of repeat victimisation. That is, a victim who has been assaulted once by the perpetrator of the worst incident in question may have been victimised in a similar manner by other assailants (Freel & Robinson, 2005).
3.2 Relationship of offender to victim
Due to the design of this survey all perpetrators are people who have been in an intimate relationship with, and are therefore known by the victim. Seventy-eight percent of worst incidents involved a male perpetrator and a female victim. Eighty-four percent of all the worst incidents identified by the 2006/07 NICS were perpetrated by the then current spouses or partners while 16% were committed by former spouses or partners (Figure 3.2).
Figure 3.2: Relationship of offender to victim in worst incident, 2006/07
8. From this section onwards the bulletin presents findings based on the worst incident only. A definition of the ‘worst incident’ can be found in the Introduction.
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3.3 Cohabiting
Sixty-three percent of respondents related that their worst incident took place while they were living with the perpetrator. In the Republic of Ireland 69% of victims, identified by the 2005 NSDA, were living with their partner when they experienced serious physical abuse (Watson & Parsons, 2005). The majority of victims (83%), identified by the 2006/07 NICS, split up with the assailant following the worst incident. However 2% of these respondents had re-entered the relationship by the time of the survey. Four fifths (80%) of those who split up (even temporarily) cited the domestic abuse as the main reason for the split. In contrast, 15% of respondents who were subjected to domestic threats or force remained in the relationship. The 2006/07 NICS findings revealed that the domestic threats and force completely stopped for over two thirds (68%) of the victims who split up (even temporarily) with their partner and 8% said they lessened. However 1% believed the perpetrator’s behaviour got worse after they split up while 7% said it stayed about the same. For a minority of those who had separated from their partners (3%), the violent behaviour only started after they split up.
3.4 Criminality of perpetrator
Respondents to the 2006/07 NICS were asked if the perpetrator of their worst incident had a criminal record. Twelve percent of victims reported that they knew their assailant had a criminal record. The majority (78%) claimed that the perpetrator, as far as they knew, had no criminal record and 11% either didn’t know or didn’t wish to answer. It should be noted that the findings are likely to reflect an undercount of the extent of a criminal record since not all partners will be aware of such.
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4 THE EFFECTS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
4.1 Injuries
Sixty-four percent of victims identified by the 2006/07 NICS sustained injuries from their worst incident (Table 4.1). The most frequently reported type of injury was ‘mental or emotional problems’ – reported by over one third (34%) of the victims recalling their worst incident. The 2006/07 BCS and the 2006 SCVS found that ‘mental or emotional problems’ were also the most frequently reported in England & Wales and Scotland respectively (Hoare & Jansson, 2008 and Hamlyn & Brown, 2007). Out of all those in the Republic of Ireland, whom the 2005 NSDA identified as being severely abused, almost half listed emotional incidents as being the worst from their perspective; women and men were very similar in this respect (Watson and Parsons, 2005). The 2006/07 NICS findings indicated that the next most commonly inflicted injury was ‘minor bruising or black eye’ which was reported by 30% of victims in 2006/07.
Table 4.1: Injuries sustained in worst incident of domestic violence (%), 2001-2006/07
2001 % 2003/04 % 67 28 36 40 32 15 4 24 20 11 6 2 4 2005 % 62 30 33 41 30 17 3 24 17 14 8 4 6 2006/07 % 64 24 34 39 30 17 6 21 16 10 4 1 4
Any injuries No injuries Mental or emotional problems Minor injuries Minor bruising or black eye Scratches Other physical injuries Moderate injuries Severe bruising Bleeding from cuts Severe injuries Internal injury Broken bones/teeth
54 30 24 17 4 17 8 2 5
When the injuries are grouped, as shown in Table 4.1, the findings were that 1 in 25 (4%) victims reported severe injuries as a result of their worst incident. Around a fifth (21%) victims reported moderate injuries and almost 2 in 5 (39%) reported minor injures. Fewer than one third of injured victims (29%) consulted a doctor, nurse or other health professional about their injuries.
4.2 Presence of children
Children suffer the effect of domestic violence in a number of different ways. They include the impact on their behaviour and emotional well-being and the effects on their cognitive abilities and attitudes (Humphreys & Mullender, 2000). The majority of children whose mother is being abused are aware of it, often more so than their parents realise (Abrahams, 1994). Three in ten (30%) of victims (male and female), identified by the 2006/07 NICS, believed that their worst incident of domestic violence had been seen and/or heard by children.
4.3 Victims’ perception of domestic violence
Although there was no official definition provided to the 2006/07 NICS respondents, the questionnaire listed 12 categories of domestic violence (detailed in Table I). The subsequent question enquired if the respondents had experienced any of these forms of abuse, threat or force from a current or former intimate partner. When asked to consider their worst incident (as defined in the introduction) 64% of victims considered the incident to constitute domestic violence (Figure 4.1). When the worst incident resulted in an injury, victims were more likely to believe they had experienced domestic violence – more than three quarters (77%) compared with 37% of those who hadn’t been injured. Research and Statistical Bulletin 10/2008 | 11
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Figure 4.1: Whether victim classifies worst incident as domestic violence, 2006/07
The government’s “Tackling Violence at Home” strategy declares that domestic violence is an abhorrent and often hidden crime (DHSS&PS & NIO, 2005). Forty-three percent of the victims of threat or force identified by the 2006/07 NICS considered their worst incident to be a crime (Figure 4.2). Thirty-five percent of respondents thought their worst incident was wrong but not a crime and 18% considered it just something that happens. Victims were more likely to believe the perpetrator had committed a crime if they believed they had experienced domestic violence – 63%.
Figure 4.2: Whether victim considers worst incident a crime, 2006/07
4.4 Reporting to the Police
The police came to know about 1 in 5 (20%) of the worst incidents of domestic violence identified by the 2006/07 NICS. When all forms of domestic violence (in addition to the worst incidents) were recalled, slightly more than 1 in 5 (21%) of victims claimed that the police came to know about one or more of the incidents. If victims believed their worst incident constituted a crime, the police were 3 times more likely to come to know about it – 33% compared with 11% when the victim didn’t consider it a crime (Table 4.2).
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Table 4.2: Victims’ perceptions of their worst incident as a crime and reporting it to the police (%), 2006/07
Perception of worst incident A crime Not a crime Reported to the police? Yes
33 11
No
67 89
4.5 Support for victims
UK surveys indicate that the majority of victims tell no-one about the abuse and adopt coping strategies which include trying to find rational explanations for violence and appeasement (Barnish, 2004). Forty-three percent of the victims of domestic violence identified by the 2006/07 NICS told no-one about their worst incident. Males were more likely than females to tell no-one, 23 out of 57 compared with 109 out of 175 respectively. When victims did tell someone about their worst incident it was most likely to be a friend, relative or neighbour (45%). Table 4.3 gives a breakdown of who else the victims of domestic violence turned to for support. The findings suggest that the police are the second most frequently approached group. Three percent of victims told someone at work about their worst incident. The government is seeking the help of employers in raising awareness of the serious issue of domestic violence. Hence guidelines for employers on developing a workplace policy on domestic violence and abuse were launched in May 2006 (DHSS&PS & NIO, 2006).
Table 4.3: Who victims told about their worst incident, 2001-2006/07
2001 % Police (came to know) Friends, relatives, neighbours Partner's friends, relatives, neighbours Someone at work Women's refuge Women's group/centre, Women's Aid Men's group/project Victim Support (Northern Ireland) Religious group/leader Social services Housing executive Social security agency Solicitor (sought legal advice) Courts Someone else
14 42 6 4 1 <1 1 1 1 1 1 1 4 2 4
2003/04 %
18 47 6 4 2 1 <1 2 1 0 2 1 7 1 1
2005 %
24 43 5 6 1 3 <1 1 1 3 2 1 9 2 3
2006/07 %
19 45 8 3 1 2 0 2 4 2 2 1 6 1 1
Note 1. ‘<1’ denotes values less than 0.5% therefore are not rounded up to 1.
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4.6 Specialist programmes for perpetrators
The 2006/07 NICS findings revealed that less than 1% of perpetrators were known to have sought help directly from a domestic violence treatment programme, a similar proportion to the 1% in 2005. However, 9% of perpetrators went for counselling or therapy for mental health problems, 5% sought help or treatment for alcohol abuse, 4% for anger management and less than 1% for drug abuse (Table 4.4). Two thirds of the perpetrators of victims’ worst incidents did not seek help from any source.
Table 4.4: Specialist programmes used by perpetrators, 2006/07 Specialist Programme
Help or treatment for alcohol abuse Help or treatment for drug abuse Counselling or therapy for mental health problems Anger management programme Domestic violence treatment programme None of these Don’t know % 5 <1 9 4 <1 71 15
Notes 1. ‘<1’ denotes values less than 0.5% therefore are not rounded up to 1. 2. Percentages do not sum to 100 because respondents could give more than one answer to the question.
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5. PUBLIC OPINION ON GOVERNMENT POLICY TO TACKLE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Watson and Parsons (2005) argue that future policy formulation must reflect the fact that both women and men experience severe domestic abuse, albeit men to a lesser extent then women.
5.1 Government Initiatives and Performance Indicators
October 2005 the government published the “Tackling Violence at Home” strategy and action plan for addressing domestic violence and abuse in Northern Ireland. It set out a vision for the future, with aims and targets focusing on preventive measures and on the provision of better protection, justice and support services for victims and their children (DHSS&PS & NIO, 2005). The workplace policy on domestic violence and abuse and the routine enquiry policy in maternity units are two examples of policy responses to domestic violence in Northern Ireland. The Action Plan which accompanied the “Tackling Violence at Home” strategy includes proposals for implementation of policies by many departments and roll-out of a media and educational campaign to increase awareness of domestic violence among the whole community (DHSS&PS & NIO, 2005 and DHSS&PS & NIO, 2006).
5.2 Perceptions of public policy priorities
One in five (20%) respondents to the 2006/07 NICS believe that the government is doing enough about domestic violence and 41% believe that the government is doing too little (Figure 5.1). A higher proportion of victims believe the government is doing too little – 48% of all victims and 46% of victims recalling their worst incident.
Figure 5.1: Is the government and its agencies doing enough about domestic violence, 2006/07
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TECHNICAL NOTES
The initial sample consisted of 6,420 addresses randomly selected from the Valuation and Lands Agency domestic property database. The full list of addresses was stratified into three regions – Belfast, East of Northern Ireland and West of Northern Ireland (Table i).
Table i: District council areas forming Northern Ireland regions
Region Belfast East of Northern Ireland Belfast Antrim, Ards, Ballymena, Banbridge, Carrickfergus, Castlereagh, Craigavon, Down, Larne, Lisburn, Newtownabbey, North Down Armagh, Ballymoney, Coleraine, Cookstown, Derry, Dungannon, Fermanagh, Limavady, Magherafelt, Moyle, Newry & Mourne, Omagh, Strabane District Council Area
West of Northern Ireland
Visits to each address by an interviewer from the NISRA Central Survey Unit resulted in an eligible sample of 5,932 occupied addresses, from which attempts were made to interview one randomly selected respondent at each address. Selecting only one person at each address means that individuals living in large households have a lower chance of being included in the sample than those living in small households. Accordingly, the data presented in this publication have been weighted by household size to prevent a bias towards small household sizes. The NICS became a continuous survey in January 2005. This report refers to the fieldwork during the financial year from April 2006 to March 2007 when 3,793 persons aged 16 years and over took part. Of these, 2,627 respondents were aged between 16 to 59 years and eligible to complete the domestic violence module. These responses were extracted for the analyses contained in this publication. However, 559 of these respondents refused to take part in the domestic violence module while a further 28 respondents had never been in a relationship, giving a final sample size of 2,040. This represents an eligible response rate of 78%. A demographic profile of the final sample is presented in Table ii.
Table ii: Sample Profile, 2006/07
Unweighted number Gender Male Female 16-29 30-59
910 1,130 499 1,541 1,075 821 144 299 1,023 718
Unweighted %
45 55 24 76 53 40 7 15 50 35
Weighted %
47 53 28 72 52 42 6 13 50 37
Age Group
Community Backround Protestant Catholic Other1 Area Belfast East N.I West N.I
Note 1. The 144 ‘Other’ category includes 110 none/missing/refused etc
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Respondents were assured in advance that any information they would provide would be treated as confidential and that the level of detail produced in publications or in any subsequent analyses would not allow for identification. Non-valid responses have been excluded from the analyses. Percentages may not always sum to 100 due to the effect of rounding or because respondents could give more than one answer to some questions. Where the base is less than 100 the number is included as the percentage should be treated with some caution. The use of self-reported surveys to obtain information on domestic violence has its limitations. Firstly, sampling private households inevitably excludes victims who may have been homeless or living in residential institutions at the time of the survey. Secondly, some respondents will be reluctant to disclose information relating to their experiences of domestic violence regardless of the level of confidentiality. Finally, due to a combination of both sampling and non-sampling error, any sample is unlikely to reflect precisely the characteristics of the population.
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REFERENCES
Abrahams, C (1994) “The Hidden Victims – Children and Domestic Violence” London: NCH Action for Children. Barnish, M. (2004) “Domestic Violence: A Literature Review” HM Inspectorate of Probation Report, London.
Belknap, J & Melton, H (2005) “Are Heterosexual Men Also Victims of Intimate Partner Abuse?” Violence against Women Network Applied Research Forum. USA. Department of Health, Social Services and Personal Safety (DHSS&PS) & Northern Ireland Office (NIO) (2005) “Tackling Violence at Home” A Strategy for Addressing Domestic Violence and Abuse in Northern Ireland. Belfast: DHSS&PS & NIO. Department of Health, Social Services and Personal Safety (DHSS&PS) & Northern Ireland Office (NIO) (2005) “Tackling Violence at Home” Action Plan Number 1 October 2005 to March 2007 Belfast: DHSS&PS & NIO. Department of Health, Social Services and Personal Safety (DHSS&PS) and Northern Ireland Office (NIO) (2006) “Developing a Workplace Policy on Domestic Violence and Abuse” Government Guidance for Employers. Belfast: DHSS&PS & NIO. Freel, R. & Robinson, E (2005) “Experience of Domestic Violence in Northern Ireland: Findings from the 2003/04 Northern Ireland Crime Survey” Research & Statistical Bulletin 5/2005. Belfast: NIO. Gielen, A, C., O’Campo, P, J., Faden, R, R., Kass, N, E. & Xue, X (1994) “Interpersonal Conflict and Physical Violence during the Childbearing Year” Social Science and Medicine, 39 pp 781-787. Gilchrist, E., Johnson, R., Takriti, R., Weston, S., Beech, A. & Kebbell, M, R. (2003) “Domestic Violence Offenders: Characteristics and Offending Related Needs” Home Office Research Findings, 217, 1-4: London. Hamlyn, B & Brown, M (2007) “Partner Abuse in Scotland: Findings from the 2006 Scottish Crime & Victimisation Survey” Scottish Government Social Research: Edinburgh. Hoare, J & Jansson, K (2008) “Extent of Intimate Violence, nature of partner abuse and serious sexual assault, 2004/05, 2005/06 and 2006/07” Home Office Statistical Bulletin: Homicides, Firearm Offences and Intimate Violence 2006/07 London: Home Office. Humphreys, C. & Mullender, A (2000) “Children and Domestic Violence: A Research Review of the Impact on Children” Dartington: Research in Practice. Kimmel, M (2002) “Male Victims of Domestic Violence: A Substantive and Methodological Research Review” Gender Symmetry in Domestic Violence: A Substantive and Methodological Research Review in Violence against Women. Synopsis written by Rus Ervin Funk. Louisville, KY. Mezey, G & Beeley, S (1997) “Domestic Violence and Pregnancy” British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 104 pp 528-531. PSNI (2007) Statistical Report, 1st April 2006 – 31st March 2007 Belfast Walby, S & Allen, J (2004) “Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Stalking: Findings from the British Crime Survey”. Home Office Research Study 276. London: Home Office. Watson, D & Parsons S (2005) “Domestic Abuse of Women and Men in Ireland” Report on the National Study of Domestic Abuse. Dublin.
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Recent publications available from NIO Statistics and Research Branch:
Research & Statistical Series
Report No. 17 Evaluation of offending behaviour programmes within the Prison and Probation Services of Northern Ireland R Hatcher, C Bilby, C Gunby, C Hollin, E Palmer and J McGuire ..................................................................July 2008 Feasibility Study on the One Stop Shop for Domestic Violence Deloitte MCS Ltd ................................................................................................................................December 2006 An Assessment of the Reparation Order and Community Responsibility Order in Northern Ireland H Dawson, S Dunn, V Morgan & C Donaghy ....................................................................................December 2006
Report No. 16 Report No 15
Research & Statistical Bulletins
9/2008 8/2008 7/2008 6/2008 5/2008 4/2008 3/2008 2/2008 1/2008 10/2007 The Northern Ireland Prison Population in 2007 C O’Loan & M McKibbin ............................................................................................................................June 2008 Reconviction in Northern Ireland: Results from the 2005 cohort A Brown & D Ruddy ....................................................................................................................................June 2008 Northern Ireland Youth Re-offending: Results from the 2005 cohort D Lyness ......................................................................................................................................................June 2008 Adult Reconviction in Northern Ireland 2004 D Ruddy & A Brown ....................................................................................................................................April 2008 Perceptions of Crime: Findings from the 2006/07 Northern Ireland Crime Survey B French & R Freel ......................................................................................................................................April 2008 Northern Ireland Statistics on the Operation of the Terrorism Act 2000: Annual Statistics 2006 C O’Loan & M McKibbin ......................................................................................................................February 2008 Court Prosecutions and Sentencing 2005 P Campbell & M Wilson ........................................................................................................................February 2008 Reconviction in Northern Ireland: Results from the 2004 cohort A Brown & D Ruddy ................................................................................................................................January 2008 Experience of Crime: Findings from the 2006/07 Northern Ireland Crime Survey R Freel & B French ..................................................................................................................................January 2008 Public attitudes towards crime and recovery of assets by the Assets Recovery Agency in Northern Ireland: Findings from the January 2007 Northern Ireland Omnibus Survey M Wilson ............................................................................................................................................December 2007 Experience of Drug Misuse: Findings from the 2006/07 Northern Ireland Crime Survey D Ruddy & A Brown ..........................................................................................................................December 2007 Adult Reconviction in Northern Ireland 2003 D Ruddy ............................................................................................................................................September 2007 Views on Organised Crime: Findings from the January 2007 Northern Ireland Omnibus Survey M Wilson ..........................................................................................................................................September 2007 Public attitudes towards sex offenders in Northern Ireland A M McAlinden & Research and Evaluation Services ....................................................................................July 2007 Experience of Domestic Violence: Findings from the 2005 Northern Ireland Crime Survey M Carmichael ................................................................................................................................................July 2007 The Northern Ireland Prison Population in 2006 C O’Loan & K Amelin ..................................................................................................................................June 2007
9/2007 8/2007 7/2007 6/2007 5/2007 4/2007
Compendia Publications
Digest of Information on the Northern Ireland Criminal Justice System 6 ....................................................June 2008 A Commentary on Northern Ireland Crime Statistics 2004 ......................................................................August 2005
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Northern Ireland Office Criminal Justice Directorate Statistics and Research Branch Massey House Stoney Road Belfast BT4 3SX Email: statistics.nio@nics.gov.uk Telephone: 028 9052 7157 Facsimile: 028 9052 7532 www.nio.gov.uk