Study paints domestic abuse profile

A report into gender and domestic abuse by Bristol University found that women were more likely to use a weapon to protect themselves and that children were present in the majority of cases.

The study by Professor Marianne Hester of the University of Bristol's School for Policy Studies looked at 96 examples from "perpetrator profiles" tracked from 2001 to 2007.

The research looked at 32 cases where women were the aggressors, 32 where men were in that role, and 32 where both partners were known to abuse.

It was found that 48% of cases related to couples still together in a relationship, 27% involved violence after separation and the remaining cases involved couples in the process of splitting up. And 83% of men had at least two incidents recorded, and one man had 52 incidents recorded. In contrast, 62% of women recorded as perpetrators had only one incident recorded and the highest number of repeat incidents for any woman was eight.

Men were significantly more likely than women to use physical violence, threats, harassment and to damage the women's property, while the women were more likely to damage their own. Men's violence tended to create a "context of fear and control", whereas women were more likely to use verbal abuse or some physical violence. But women were more likely to use a weapon, although this was often to stop further violence from their partners.

All cases with seven or more incidents, most of which involved men, led to arrest although women were three times more likely to be arrested. During the six-year period, men were arrested once in every 10 incidents and women arrested once in every three incidents.

Issues of divorce and child contact were common in "dual-perpetrator" cases and also included the greatest number of instances where both partners were heavy drinkers.

Children were present in 55% of cases when the violence or other abuse took place. In cases involving post-separation violence, problems of child contact were cited in 30% of cases.

Professor Hester said: "Both men and women can be violent, but there are significant differences in the way men and women use violence and abuse against their partners and also the impact of such behaviour. This needs to be taken this into account if we want to ensure greater safety for individuals. The research has crucial lessons for the criminal justice system in this respect."