 Domestic violence is often not reported |
The worst incidents of domestic violence in Northern Ireland are generally not reported to the police, a report has said.More than 3,000 people were interviewed for a survey published by the Northern Ireland Office.
It indicated that police were unaware of 84% of the most serious incidents which included being threatened with a weapon, being kicked or bitten, or an attempt made to strangle the person.
Women (16%) were also more likely to be victims than men (11%) with people living in Belfast also reporting a higher rate of victimisation than other parts of Northern Ireland.
The survey, carried out between August 2001 and January 2002, looked at several categories of abuse.
These ranged from a person being prevented from seeing friends or family to being pushed or struck or being choked.
The findings also suggested that in the Northern Ireland context, where there is a culture of excessive alcohol consumption, this may play a part in domestic violence.
Under half of the worst incidents took place while the assailant was under the influence of alcohol, the survey said.
Sinn F�in MLA for north Belfast Kathy Stanton said the figures should send shock waves through society.
"Not only is it a disgrace that there appears to be such a high level of domestic violence but it is very worrying that it is viewed as acceptable by as many as one in 10 people," she said.
"The low level of reporting comes as no surprise. We need to see greater support for the work of women's refuges and more resources put into reporting mechanisms that do not involve the PSNI.
"The protection of women and their children should be paramount."
Other findings
People aged 16-29 were more likely to have been victims of domestic violence than those aged 30-59. Protestants (16%) were more likely to have experienced domestic violence than Catholics (12%). More than half (54%) of victims suffered injuries as a result of the "worst" incident, the most common of which was mental or emotional problems. In one-quarter (24%) of worst incidents children were aware of what was going on. Only 37% of victims considered the worst incident a crime, while over one-quarter (27%) accepted it as "just something that happens". Some 92% of respondents believed that domestic violence was never acceptable under any circumstances, a percentage that is higher for females (94%) than males (89%). 
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We need to see greater support for the work of women's refuges 
