4.1 Give examples of how national policy and strategy on domestic abuse has changed over time

This guide will help you answer 4.1 Give examples of how national policy and strategy on domestic abuse has changed over time.

Domestic abuse is a serious issue in the UK. National policy and strategy have developed over time to improve protection, prevention and support. This development reflects changes in public awareness, social attitudes, legal thinking and evidence-based practice. The approach now is more inclusive. It looks at different types of abuse, including coercive control, emotional harm and financial control, alongside physical violence.

In this guide, we will look at how national policy and strategy on domestic abuse have changed over the years.

Early Recognition and Limited Approach

In past decades, domestic abuse was often seen as a private matter. Police involvement was limited. There was little formal policy. Support services were mostly provided by charities and local groups.

Several key features characterised early policy:

• Limited legal protection for victims
• Lack of recognition of non-physical abuse
• Minimal police powers to intervene
• No clear national strategy

The first major steps in addressing domestic abuse came in the late 20th century. Campaign groups, survivors and public health advocates pushed for recognition that abuse is a crime, not just a family problem.

The 1970s and 1980s – Building Awareness

In the 1970s, women’s refuges began to be established, supported by organisations such as Women’s Aid. These refuges provided safety and practical help. Public policy was slow to respond at first, but charities influenced local and then national conversations.

In the 1980s, national government began to allocate some funding for services. However, there was no unified national policy. The focus was mainly on physical protection and emergency accommodation.

Early Legal Changes in the 1990s

The Family Law Act 1996 was a step forward. It introduced non-molestation orders and occupation orders. These enabled courts to restrict an abuser’s access to a victim or the victim’s home.

This period saw recognition that abuse included emotional and psychological harm. However, the legal definitions were still narrow.

Key points from the 1990s policy changes include:

• Legal remedies through civil courts
• Protection orders became more accessible
• Greater police awareness training started

The 2000s – Towards a Coordinated National Strategy

From the early 2000s, the government moved towards a more integrated response. The introduction of the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004 marked a major shift. It strengthened criminal justice responses and made breach of a non-molestation order a criminal offence.

Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conferences (MARACs) were introduced. These allowed agencies such as police, health, housing and probation to share information and plan coordinated protection for high-risk victims.

The 2000s also saw:

• Increased funding for specialist support services
• Development of the Forced Marriage Civil Protection Act 2007
• Better public awareness campaigns with a clear message that abuse is unacceptable

Changing Definitions

One major policy change over time has been the definition of domestic abuse. Older strategies focused on physical violence. Newer strategies include wider forms of harm such as:

• Emotional abuse
• Coercive control
• Financial abuse
• Digital abuse, such as tracking and harassment via technology

This change in definition reflects updated thinking from research, survivor testimony and advocacy work. The term “domestic violence” has been replaced in policy by “domestic abuse” to highlight non-physical forms of harm.

The 2010s – Full National Strategies

In 2010 the government set out the “Call to End Violence Against Women and Girls” strategy. This recognised domestic abuse as part of wider gender-based violence.

The national policy was built around prevention, provision of services, partnership working and bringing perpetrators to justice. The strategy made clear that domestic abuse could happen in any type of relationship and at any age.

The introduction of the offence of controlling or coercive behaviour in the Serious Crime Act 2015 was a major legal change. This offence recognised patterns of manipulation and isolation, even without physical violence.

During this decade, there was more focus on safeguarding children in the context of domestic abuse. This included changes to statutory guidance for social workers, teachers and health staff.

Examples of Policy Changes in Support Services

National policy began to link domestic abuse with broader safeguarding agendas. For example:

• The creation of Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs) to work with high-risk cases
• Funding for specialist refuge spaces for minority groups
• More work with perpetrators through behaviour change programmes

Government campaigns such as “This is Abuse” aimed to reach younger audiences and challenge normalisation of harmful behaviour.

The Domestic Abuse Act 2021

The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 is a landmark piece of legislation. It brought together many strands of previous policy and added new measures. Its changes include:

• A new statutory definition of domestic abuse covering physical, emotional, coercive control, financial abuse and more
• Recognition of children as victims in their own right if they see, hear or experience the effects of abuse
• Creation of the role of Domestic Abuse Commissioner to monitor and improve services
• Barring of perpetrators from cross-examining victims in family courts
• Duty on local authorities to provide accommodation-based support for victims

This Act shows how far national policy has shifted from seeing abuse as a private matter to seeing it as a serious public issue requiring a coordinated statutory response.

Influence of Public Campaigns and Reports

National policy has been shaped by high-profile cases, media coverage and independent reviews. Campaigns have pushed for stronger laws, more consistent police practice and better protection for victims. Reports from organisations such as HM Inspectorate of Constabulary have identified gaps in practice and urged training for all frontline staff.

The rise of social media has allowed survivors to share their experiences, influencing public opinion and political will. This has led to earlier intervention and more support routes, including helplines, online chats and discreet contact methods.

Integration with Other Safeguarding Areas

Policy now recognises the overlap between domestic abuse and other issues such as modern slavery, honour-based violence, child sexual exploitation and elder abuse. This has led to the creation of joint training frameworks and multi-agency safeguarding hubs.

The focus has shifted to early identification. Health professionals are encouraged to ask direct questions when signs are present. Schools are part of the response, using specialist programmes to educate pupils.

Language Change in Policy Documents

Earlier documents used the term “domestic violence” and were framed mainly around women. Current strategy uses “domestic abuse” and recognises male victims, same-sex relationships and abuse by family members who are not partners.

The language in policy now avoids assumptions about gender, culture or background. This reflects an inclusive approach while still recognising the gendered nature of many cases.

Examples of Strategies Over Time

Some examples of strategies include:

• Early refuge-based protection and crisis intervention with limited legal powers
• MARAC and IDVA programmes for high-risk victims in the 2000s
• National campaigns focusing on prevention and awareness from 2010 onwards
• Domestic Abuse Act 2021 embedding provision and definition in law
• Current Home Office strategies aiming for integration with policing, health and education services

Impact of These Changes

These policy changes have led to:

• Greater public awareness
• More victims coming forward
• Wider range of services to meet different needs
• Stronger powers to prosecute offenders
• Formal obligations for agencies to provide support

However, challenges remain, especially around funding consistency, safe accommodation availability and specialist support in rural and minority communities.

Final Thoughts

National policy and strategy on domestic abuse in the UK have changed significantly over time. Early approaches treated abuse as a hidden problem. Today it is recognised as a major public concern that requires coordinated action.

These changes have brought better laws, wider definitions, multi-agency working and stronger victim support. They show the influence of survivor voices, charity work, and growing evidence about the impact of abuse on individuals and communities.

While there is still more to do, the history of national policy change demonstrates clear progress. Understanding this progression helps health and social care workers to see why current practice is shaped the way it is and what principles guide intervention today.