This essay will address the question ‘Is Domestic Violence underrepresented in society?’ in particular it will focus upon the policing of Domestic Violence as well as the punishment associated with this criminal offence, including background of issues highlighted within previous assignments. These include the history of domestic violence, gender differences and generational differences. A main objective would be to address in particular whether domestic violence is underrepresented within the criminal justice system. This will be achieved by looking at how domestic violence is approached legally.
Within the first assignment the topics highlighted were the history of domestic violence. This included the relevant laws and legislation in place for domestic violence, and how these have changed in recent years. For example, the 1857 rule of thumb law, whereby a judge reportedly states that a man may beat his wife so long as he uses ‘a rod no thicker than his thumb’. However, this does not clarify the force nor amount of times the man may beat his wife. Additionally, both gender differences and generational difference were also considered. For example, domestic violence can be seen as sexist as we always assume it is women who are being battered and we rarely consider males as well as same sex relationships. Similarly, we do not suspect the abuse of the elderly in particularly elderly women who are maybe seen as less desirable and are therefore underrepresented by society as domestic violence victims. …show more content…
Sir Kenneth Newman regarded it as rubbish work, similar to dealing with lost dogs. Violence was often considered a private matter therefore the law was rarely involved and was only used as a last resort occasionally to maintain order temporarily. However, domestic violence is now recognised as a ‘real’ crime and the idea of it occurring in the home does not deflect its status as a criminal
Within the first assignment the topics highlighted were the history of domestic violence. This included the relevant laws and legislation in place for domestic violence, and how these have changed in recent years. For example, the 1857 rule of thumb law, whereby a judge reportedly states that a man may beat his wife so long as he uses ‘a rod no thicker than his thumb’. However, this does not clarify the force nor amount of times the man may beat his wife. Additionally, both gender differences and generational difference were also considered. For example, domestic violence can be seen as sexist as we always assume it is women who are being battered and we rarely consider males as well as same sex relationships. Similarly, we do not suspect the abuse of the elderly in particularly elderly women who are maybe seen as less desirable and are therefore underrepresented by society as domestic violence victims. …show more content…
Sir Kenneth Newman regarded it as rubbish work, similar to dealing with lost dogs. Violence was often considered a private matter therefore the law was rarely involved and was only used as a last resort occasionally to maintain order temporarily. However, domestic violence is now recognised as a ‘real’ crime and the idea of it occurring in the home does not deflect its status as a criminal