Domestic Abuse - The Nightmare for Christmas

Speech delivered on Wed 7th Dec 2005

I have chosen to address domestic abuse today in the hope of raising awareness. Issues of domestic abuse need to be faced and brought into the open. As politicians we cannot leave it to soap operas to do that for us.

Never has it been more pertinent than this week after the murder of Tracey Jones in Wrexham this weekend. She had suffered years of domestic violence and after living away for 18 months, her ex-partner broke into her house and stabbed her repeatedly.

Domestic abuse is not a "one-off" occurrence: it is frequent and persistent.

The Welsh National Strategy defines domestic abuse as:

The use of physical and/or emotional abuse or violence, including undermining of self confidence, sexual violence or the threat of violence, by a person who is or has been in a close relationship.

It can go beyond actual physical violence.

It can also involve emotional abuse, the destruction of a spouse's or partner's property, their isolation from friends, family or other potential sources of support, threats to others including children, control over access to money, personal items, food, transportation and the telephone and stalking.

It can also include violence perpetrated by a son, daughter or any other person who has a close or blood relationship with the victim/survivor.

By its nature, domestic violence is an under-reported crime.

It is subject to many common myths about its causes and severity.

Many wrongly believe that if the violence or abuse were serious enough or frequent enough - the abused would leave or at least report the crime. In fact, there are more repeat victims than any other crime. It accounts for approx. 1 in 6 violent crimes in Wales.

The British Crime Report 2004/05 estimates that, on average, there are 35 assaults before a victim calls the police.

Domestic abuse occurs across society. It makes no exception for age, gender, race, sexuality, wealth or geography.

A conservative estimate, (British Crime Report 2004/05) suggests that actual domestic violence will affect 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men in their lifetime.

Couple of months ago a young woman, lets call her Josephine came to my surgery, obviously very distressed at the circumstances she found herself in. She obviously didn't want to go into too much detail but she talked about how she was being treated by her partner. She didn't want to contact the Police, clearly didn't feel she could leave but didn't know what else she could do.

I suggested a number of helplines which may assist, and provide far better information and advice than I or I suspect any of us could. But that one example highlighted to me the impossible predicament that many find themselves in.

It cuts across lives as victims suffer at many levels - health, housing, education. They lose the freedom to live their lives how they want, and without fear.

From April 2004 to April 2005 the Wales Domestic Abuse helpline received over 6000 calls -

1. 82% of callers were young people 18-25

2. 69% of callers had children

3. More than one if four callers wanted refuge

4. 8% of callers were disabled

5. 7% of callers were male

6. 1% of calls from children

There is a wide range of types of abuse.

1. Well over one third of abuse was sexual.

2. A third of abuse was physical.

3. A quarter of abuse was emotional.

4. 1 in 50 calls reported financial abuse.

Domestic abuse is intentional behaviour.

Abusers choose to behave violently to get what they want and gain control. Their behaviour often originates from a belief that it is their right. Often this is supported by sexist, racist, or homophobic attitudes.

It is the misuse of power and control.

Domestic abuse is not a result of a lack of control. It is about gaining control.

If an abuser is careful about when, where and to whom they are abusive, then they are sufficiently aware of their actions to indicate they are not 'out of control'.

The statistics show that we all know someone, male or female who will be or has been affected by domestic abuse.

The effects are far reaching and cost society in different ways.

For example, from June 2005, in Wales there were 2,319 households accepted as homeless. One in five (19%) were due to violence against members of the household. Most arising from the violent breakdown of a relationship with a former partner. 224 female single parents reported as homeless because of violence from former partners.

As well as the human costs, the estimated total cost of domestic violence to Wales in purely monetary terms is £1.15 billion per annum.

This figure includes an estimated £155 million as the cost to the state and £65 million as the cost to employers and human suffering cost of £850 million. (Sylvia Walby, University of Leeds 2004).

The effect on children can be particularly devastating.

It is thought that children witness about three-quarters of the abusive incidents in relationships where there is domestic violence.

By witnessing this they are also being abused themselves.

My title makes reference to Domestic Abuse in the context of Christmas.

There is not a wealth of information to suggest that abuse occurs any more than usual during the Christmas period.

But at a time linked with peace and goodwill, when even the trenches of WW1 fell silent, I find it disturbing that it does not stop.

If we are honest, Christmas is a difficult time in many families, even when everything is going well.

Even in an abusive situation most people want to stay at home over the festive period, more often than not for the happiness of children and the extended family.

Levels of stress, alcohol and debt increase.

If you live in an abusive family, those tensions can reach fever pitch.

In Wales, a wide cross section of Welsh agencies are working hard to act against domestic abuse in all its forms.

Fortunately or unfortunately, many of these partner organisations are stretched to capacity.

Refuges are consistently full. Caerphilly Women's Aid have just been able to open a 4th refuge. Helplines take record numbers of calls.

The services needed under the umbrella of Domestic Abuse are adapting to meet demand.

This can be seen in the increasing existence of organisations for male sufferers, and sufferers of abuse within a same sex couple prove that awareness has risen, and I hope today's debate will raise it further.

But we should not lose sight of the idea that the growing number and range of service providers is not necessarily good news. Good that support and refuge is there; not good that the support is needed.

I find it encouraging that it is getting easier to access these service. And that the resources exist to conduct seamless service and treatment for survivors of domestic abuse.

Tackling domestic abuse in the long term demands preventative steps.

Anti-violence education in schools and other programmes that educate children about healthy relationships and effective conflict resolution skills are important preventive measures.

Like any long term solution the root causes of the problem must be addressed. The All Wales National Strategy - "Tackling Domestic Abuse" states that:

"Stereotypes must be confronted, the hidden nature of domestic abuse must be emphasised and the unacceptability of domestic abuse must be effectively communicated. "Information must be accessible to all people which means that it must be available in a range of formats and languages and be culturally relevant."

That is the real challenge for Wales in the near and distant future.

To invest in prevention, to work across portfolios on policy development and to keep shining a light on an issue that thrives in the dark.

A YouGov Poll of 2004 revealed that 20% of women admit they have lived, or currently live in fear of violence.

Yet more than half (52%) told researchers they'd be too embarrassed and ashamed to tell their friends.

Even more (59%) would stay tight-lipped with family.

Reports suggest that Tracey Jones' extended family and friends had no idea that she was suffering domestic violence.

The notion that this problem must be kept 'behind closed doors' must be rubbed out.

Investing in preventative work in the workplace, schools and colleges across Wales will go some way to ensuring people are given the tools to meet their full potential.

An essential part of this is awareness and confidence to demand healthy, safe and mutually respectful relationships.

While the Christmas season of goodwill really is a nightmare for those in abusive situations, it is a year long life and death issue.

Today is our last day in this chamber. This is our final debate in our temporary homes and we leave here for the greener pastures next door. We must not forget what has happened in this room. I trust we will not forget the issues raised here either.