§ Mr. StreeterTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will make a statement on the prevalence of domestic violence within different categories of family configuration and marital status; [83856]
(2) what research into the prevalence of domestic violence has been funded by central government in the last five years; and which of these studies break down their results by (a) family configuration and (b) marital status. [83857]
§ Mr. DenhamThe British Crime Survey (BCS) provides overall trend information on the number of incidents of domestic violence. The BCS figures are derived from a sample and so are subject to sampling error. Moreover, the BCS is carried out by face-to-face interviews and some respondents may be unwilling to reveal experience of domestic violence to interviewers. Copies of the BCS are available in the Library.
However, the 1996 BCS included a self-completion component on domestic violence to encourage disclosure. Results from this were published in Home Office Research Study No.191—copies are available in the Library. This more confidential approach to measurement revealed that the proportion of women who were victims of domestic assault in the preceding year was over three times higher than in the main BCS. This study also has information on the marital status of victims (page 29), and whether there are children in the household (page 32).
In addition, BCS interviews conducted in the 2001–02 financial year provide the following information (from face-to-face interviews).
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Living arrangements Percentage of respondents1 Married 0.2 Cohabiting 0.7 Single 1.3 Separated 4.4 Divorced 1.0 Widowed 0.2 Head of household under 60 Single adult and child(ren) 3.8 Adults and child(ren) 0.7 No children 0.6 Head of household over 60 0.1 All adults 0.6 1 Who were victims of domestic violence once or more The 2001 BCS also contained an interpersonal violence self-completion module designed to estimate the extent of domestic violence, sexual victimisation and stalking. The module included questions on the marital status of victims and the family configuration. Results are expected to be published in Summer 2003,
§ Sandra GidleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what statistics regarding domestic violence are tracked at UK level. [85311]
§ Mr. DenhamDomestic violence is not separately identified in recorded crime statistics collected by the Home Office. Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) has collected information from police forces on the number of reported incidents of partner-on-partner violence since 1993. The British Crime Survey (BCS) can provide information on the number of incidents of domestic violence against women and men. The Home Office also collects information on all homicides, which can identify the relationship between the victim and perpetrator.
§ Sandra GidleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if there is a standard model for the role of domestic violence officer in the UK. [85315]
§ Mr. DenhamThere is currently no standard role for domestic violence (DV) officer in the UK. Home Office Circular 60/1990 emphasised the need for the establishment of dedicated units or specialist officers to deal with DV incidents. "Policing domestic violence—a modular training programme", a national training product developed by Centrex and issued in November 2003, will provide a structured but flexible approach to the delivery of domestic violence training within the police service including to domestic violence officers.