Domestic abuse and public violence: will the state now accept the two go hand in hand? | Joan Smith

Many men arrested in disorder after the Southport murders had themselves been accused of attacking women. It’s high time police acted on these red flagsThe idea that violent men seek out fresh opportunities to attack people and property is hardly news. That one form of violence is a predictor of others, on the other hand, has yet to be fully recognised by the criminal justice system. If that were not the case, domestic abuse would be treated as the red flag it undoubtedly is, requiring much more effective identification, prosecution and management of offenders.The latest example of violence in the home spilling into the streets comes from last summer’s riots. Two out of every five people arrested – 41% of the 899 individuals arrested for taking part in violent disorder, to be exact – had previously been reported to the police for domestic abuse, according to data obtained by the Guardian. The offences they were accused of included actual bodily harm, grievous bodily harm, stalking, breach of restraint and non-molestation orders, coercive control and criminal damage. In some areas where violence broke out on the streets, the figure was as high as 68%. In Rotherham, where 75 people were arrested after rioters set fire to an asylum hotel, 35 turned out to have been previously reported to the police for domestic abuse.Joan Smith is an author, journalist and a former chair of the mayor of London’s VAWG board. Her latest book is Unfortunately, She Was a Nymphomaniac: A New History of Rome’s Imperial WomenDo you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here. Continue reading...

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