Go Orders

You may have heard in the media recently that people who are suspected of abusing their partner could be removed from there homes by the police. This is part of the government’s proposals to manage the rising domestic violence situation in the UK. The government will be implementing its Domestic Violence and Abuse Go Orders proposals as a year-long pilot scheme in Greater Manchester, Wiltshire and West Mercia commencing summer 2011.

The Go Orders would enable the police to remove the perpetrator from their home for up to four weeks, irrespective of whether it is the victim or a third party that reported the suspected abuse.

This scheme would go a long way in assisting victims of abuse who may feel too vulnerable, frightened, insecure, susceptible to self harm, guilty and lack confidence in contacting the police themselves. Or indeed, if they had previously contacted the police in the past but the abuse and violence is still on-going. It may also ease the police’s frustration in being able to take action in such matters.

Cracking Down on Homicide:

I personally welcome the new stance that the government proposes in cracking down on domestic violence in the home, not least because two women per week are killed as a result of domestic violence and abuse. I also like the fact that women and children are not the ones that have to flee the home for a change, and we all know that there are insufficient support, refuges and accommodation available to meet their needs, don’t we? So it is refreshing that the government is taking domestic violence and abuse as something far more serious than just a couple having an argument in their own home.

The proposals include victims being offered support and advice by case workers on the options open to them should they leave the relationship.

Help:

No one should have to endure the torture of emotional, psychological, physical or financial abuse because the perpetrator is feeling insecure in themselves. As discussed in my BBC 3 Counties Radio interview on the Jonathan Vernon-Smith show, whilst I agree that these Go Order proposals are heading in the right direction in assisting the prevention or reduction of homicide and domestic abuse in the home, certain issues still need to be addressed, thus:

• If the perpetrator (usually men) is allowed back in to the home, or not as the case may be, what real and additional support will be available for the family as a whole, the couple and the children to deal with the underlying issues that are triggering the abuse?

• Removal of the perpetrator from the home can have its own emotional and psychological damage on the children. How will this be tackled by the government?

• If the perpetrator’s self esteem, confidence and self worth had hit rock bottom as a result of losing their job, for instance, which potentially became the trigger for abusing their partner (and which by no means is an excuse for inflicting any sort of abuse on anyone!), will s/he be supported in becoming a meaningful member of society again?

• What additional assistance does the government proposes for agencies such as counselling services, children's centres, schools and others in being able to manage the extra needs of those families affected by the Go Order?

• What proposals are in place to support women’s financial situations once the perpetrator is removed from the home? One of the fears of women escaping an abusive situation is how they will cope financially by themselves with the children.

• How will the police and government manage cases of people being falsely accused of committing such crimes? And the resulting impact on the family and the couple’s relationship?

The Impact:

In essence, I applaud the government’s decision to move forward with their proposals for domestic violence Go Orders as a measure to reduce homicide and domestic violence and abuse in the home. My reservations are, however, about the overall impact the actions will have on the family’s lives and the real support that the whole family will receive, including the perpetrator, in moving on with their lives.

Could this situation also trigger manipulative parenting where either of the parents become manipulative parents? Removal of the perpetrator from one home, does not stop them committing similar offences in their subsequent homes. And similarly, what support will the women get to move on with their lives and not allow themselves to get caught up in similar circumstances? we also need to be mindful that the children are not thrown into situations of binge drinking like the recently highlighted case of Laura Hall.

Many government assisted interventions tend to be of a practical nature. We must not overlook the seriousness and importance of dealing with the underlying emotional and psychological issues that have resulted in people being in these and other situations. Until these underlying issues are addressed, tax payers will forever be forking out millions of pounds on quick fix practical solutions.