UNIVERSITY NEWS LAST UPDATED : 20 AUGUST 2014
A leading criminologist has warned that the newly proposed law against domestic abuse may pose initial legal problems.
Professor David Wilson from Birmingham City University's School of Social Sciences is in support of the new proposals put forward by the Home Secretary Theresa May, that are designed to ensure that a new domestic abuse offence would cover not only acts of violence but incidents of psychological control. Professor Wilson argues: "The dividing line between abuse and criminality is often one that is difficult to measure."
"We must remember that these behaviours are often very private, taking place behind closed doors," continues Professor Wilson. "We therefore shouldn’t expect to see a dramatic change in convictions straight away."
Figures released by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary showed that in England and Wales between September 2012 – September 2013, eight per cent of all crimes reported to the police were in relation to domestic abuse.