Domestic Violence
Domestic violence offenders: characteristics and offending related needs
This document is published for archival/historical purposes. It will not be updated.
This Home Office research report attempts to develop a better understanding of the common characteristics of domestic violence offenders and domestic violence patterns. A better understanding of offenders and offending patterns will lead to better development of both strategic policy and operational initiatives to reduce domestic violence.
Title: Domestic violence offenders: characteristics and offending related needs
Authors: Elizabeth Gilchrist, Rebecca Johnson, Rachel Tikriti Samantha Weston, Anthony Beech, Mark Kebbell
Series: Home Office Findings 217
Number of pages: 4
Date published: October 2003
Key findings:
Offenders
The average age was 35 (age range 19-60)
60% were unemployed
A large minority had mental health problems
36% reported witnessing violence between their own parents
48% were found to be alcohol dependent
Types of Offender
Psychometric testing uncovered four main groups of offenders, outlined in the table below.
Subtype of offender | Behaviours reported |
Antisocial / Narcissistic - antisocial | Tendency to engage in antisocial behaviour, likely to have alcohol and drug dependence, tendency to endorse macho attitudes, likely to have difficulties empathising and likely to have previous convictions |
Antisocial / Narcissistic - narcissistic | Tendency to be paranoid and narcissistic. These offenders tended not to endorse macho attitudes. However, they also have a tendency to respond in a socially desirable manner, indicating that their low endorsement of macho attitudes may not be valid. They are also likely to have be dismissive. |
Antisocial / Narcissistic - low pathology | Tendency to be narcissistic. These offenders have moderate macho attitudes although again they also tend to respond in a socially desirable manner. These offenders do not express high levels of anger, tend not to engage in ideas of suicide and are not likely to report having experienced abuse in childhood. |
Borderline / Emotionally Dependent | Highly interpersonally dependent, tendency to have high levels of anger, likely to suffer from depression and/or anxiety, likely to suffer from low self-esteem, be likely to blame others for their circumstances, likely to have experienced physical and sexual abuse in childhood, tendency to have a fearful attachment style and likely to engage in suicidal thoughts. |
Offences
There is no specific domestic violence criminal offence. The offences recorded for this study divided into the following categories:
38% assault occasioning actual bodily harm
37% common assault
11% criminal damage
6% harassment
6% threats to kill
5% affray
2% grievous bodily harm
Conclusions
Offenders were found to be a diverse group with a wide variety of needs. This makes it difficult to recommend specific courses of action that are likely to be effective with a significant proportion of offenders.
Alcohol dependence was widespread in the sample. Offenders with alcohol dependence respond less well to other interventions and the figures suggest that a high level of alcohol dependence could be a distinguishing characteristic of domestic violence offenders. Alcohol dependency should be considered as a target for intervention, especially for the antisocial/narcissistic group offenders.
Other suggested interventions include cognitive-behavioural approaches that explore past history, behaviours and consequences. Emotionally dependent offenders could also benefit from anger management programmes.
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Last update: Wednesday, August 27, 2008