, Your work at a legal research institute focusing on human rights. Recently you
noticed that the issue of domestic violence has been receiving a lot of
attention. You noticed that there is no crime labelled
Title: The Legal Gaps in Addressing Domestic Violence: The Case for Labeling
Domestic Violence as a Crime
1. Introduction
Context: Domestic violence is a pervasive issue that affects individuals and families
globally. Despite the significant attention it has received in recent years, there remains a
critical gap in how legal systems classify and address it. In many jurisdictions, domestic
violence is not explicitly labeled as a crime, which poses challenges for victims seeking
justice and protection.
Purpose: This report aims to examine why domestic violence should be explicitly labeled
as a crime and to explore the implications for human rights, legal frameworks, and the
broader societal response to domestic violence.
Thesis: Labeling domestic violence as a specific crime can enhance legal protections for
victims, promote justice, and improve the overall response of the criminal justice system.
2. Domestic Violence: Definition and Scope
Definition: Domestic violence encompasses physical, emotional, psychological, and
financial abuse within intimate relationships or household settings. It often involves a
power imbalance where one individual seeks to control or dominate another.
Scope: Include statistics to show the extent of the problem. Globally, millions of
people—primarily women—are affected by domestic violence, making it a critical
human rights issue.
Forms of Domestic Violence:
o Physical violence
o Sexual violence
o Emotional and psychological abuse
o Economic abuse
o Stalking and harassment