Introduction

Domestic violence is commonly defined as the use or threat of physical violence but as far as the law is concerned its definition is much wider. As the law commission have pointed out it can include physical, sexual or psychological abuse including intimidation, shouting, threats or even nuisance telephone calls. In the great majority of cases the abuser is male and the victim female. However, research has confirmed that men can also be victims. Whatever the truth in aspect it is certain that domestic violence is a serious social issue.

The main aim of civil law is to protect victims by improving matters for the future. Orders can be made about the future use of property or future behaviour of the parties. In contrast criminal law focuses on punishing past behaviour. This can sometimes be counter productive e.g. if an abuser is imprisoned, leading to his unemployment and subsequent hardship for the victim and children.