Age group	Number	As % of total
18-25	18,645	17.5
26-35	22,001	20.7
36-45	18,121	17.0
46-55	15,649	14.7
Total number of men 18 and over	106486

In the two areas for specific consideration, Foleshill and Wood End, and based on National Statistics 2001, the age distribution is likely to be slightly different, with a higher proportion of younger people than across the city as a whole. The ethnic composition is also markedly different (see Tables 2 and 3 below).

Table 2: Ethnic group composition of residents in Foleshill – 1991 Census

Ethnic Group	Total number	Percentage
White	8,640	48.2%
Black Caribbean	380	2.1%
Black African	70	0.4%
Black Other	140	0.8%
Indian	5,412	30.2%
Pakistani	2,330	13%
Bangladeshi	450	2.5%
Chinese	30	0.2%
Persons born in Republic of Ireland	660	-
Other	470	2.6%

Source: City Development Directorate, Coventry City Council

Table 3: Ethnic group composition of residents in Henley – 1991 Census

Ethnic Group	Total number	Percentage %
White	17,030	94.2%
Black Caribbean	250	1.4%
Black African	20	0.1%
Black Other	140	0.8%
Indian	410	2.3%
Pakistani	10	-
Bangladeshi	3	-
Chinese	30	0.2%
Persons born in Republic of Ireland	840	-
Other	190	1.1%

Source: City Development Directorate, Coventry City Council.

Each of these two areas scores highly in the Indices of Deprivation 2000 (National Statistics 2001). Foleshill ward ranks at 182 and Henley ward (which contains Wood End) at 883 out of a total 8414 (with rank 1 being the most deprived ward in England). Interviews with a range of practitioners including Community Safety Officers, drew attention to high levels of disadvantage across the whole of Foleshill ward and the Wood End area of Henley ward.

Levels and outcomes of reports of domestic violence to the police

Research on a national basis shows a high and increasing level of reports of incidents of domestic violence to the police, making it one of the most frequently reported serious crimes (Stanko 2000; Humphreys and Thiara 2001). Consultations with police representatives from the Coventry Domestic Violence Partnership and with domestic violence officers from Coventry’s three Operational Command Units highlighted how changes in policy guidance[2] and shifts in attitudes have contributed to more active policing in relation to domestic violence. This, together with an increased willingness to report on the part of victims, has resulted in higher levels of recorded incidents. Nonetheless, it is widely accepted that reported levels represent only a proportion of the actual incidence of domestic violence. Although there appear to be higher levels of reported incidents in some areas of the city, this should be treated with some caution. A number of confounding factors may be involved, including variations in population density and other social factors.

Reported incidents of domestic violence 1^st October 2000 to 31 December 2000 – City wide

Across the city, over this period police records show there were 852 reported incidents of domestic violence (See Table 4 below). The vast majority (over 95%) involved male perpetrators and female victims and in 27% of these incidents children were recorded as being present during the violence. Approximately 15% were repeat victimisations (although it must be borne in mind that only the first repeat victimisation is recorded).  For the two Operational Command Units that were able to provide figures about prosecutions, a total of 581 reported incidents led to 108 prosecutions, and convictions in approximately 50% of these cases.

Table 4: Reported incidents of domestic violence 1 October 2000 to 31 December 2000 by Operational Command Unit

Operational Command Unit	Areas of city covered	Reported incidents of domestic violence
M1	Includes: Chapelfields Allesley Whoberley Tile Hill Coundon Radford City Centre	271 incidents
M2	Includes: Binley Cheylesmore Earlsdon Finham Stivichall Stoke Stoke Aldermooor Westwood Heath Willenhall	250 incidents
M3	Includes: Alderman’s Green Court House Green Edgwick Foleshill Hall Green Henley Green Keresley Heath Little Heath Manor Farm Rowleys Green Stoke Heath Walsgrave Whitmore Park Wood End Wyken	331 incidents

When the age profile of alleged perpetrators is examined (see Table 5 and Figure 2), the largest group lies between the ages of 26 and 35, comprising 43.1% of the total number of perpetrators. This would imply that there are potentially large numbers of children directly or indirectly involved. Even if children have not directly witnessed an assault, their awareness of its impact on their mother can nonetheless have a very detrimental effect on health and development (Mullender and Morley 1994; Hester et al 1998; Humphreys 2000).

Table 5: Age distribution of alleged perpetrators: City-wide [3]

Age group	Number	As % of total
18-25	128	20.9
26-35	263	43.1
36-45	149	24.4
46+	71	11.6
Total	611	100

 

If the age distribution of alleged perpetrators is broken down by Operational Command Unit, then slightly different profiles emerge. Areas M2 and M3 follow comparable patterns, with 48.3% and 45.5% respectively of alleged perpetrators aged between 26 and 35 years of age (see Table 3 and Figure 2). M1, which has fewer reported incidents than the other two Units, has a smaller proportion of perpetrators in that age band (32.9%) and correspondingly more perpetrators in the younger age band, 18-25 (32.3%).


Table 5: Age distribution of alleged perpetrators: by Operational Command Unit

M1

Age group	Number	As % of total
18-25	54	32.3
26-35	55	32.9
36-45	40	24.0
46+	18	10.8
Total	167	100

M2

Age group	Number	As % of total
18-25	41	19.6
26-35	101	48.3
36-45	44	21.1
46 +	23	11.0
Total	209	100

M3

Age group	Number	As % of total
18-25	33	14.0
26-35	107	45.5
36-45	65	27.7
46 +	30	12.8
Total	235	100

 
The two areas for specific consideration, Wood End and Foleshill can, to an extent, be isolated by drawing on figures from beats within the M3 Operational Command Unit area for the three month period:

Wood End, Manor Farm, Court House Green and Henley Green

Number of reported incidents	Where partner involved	Where children also involved	18-25	26-35	36-45	Over 46
56	41	19	4  (9.7%)	23  (56%)	9 (21%)	4   (9.7%)

Foleshill and Edgewick

Number of reported incidents	Where partner involved	Where children also involved	18-25	26-35	36-45	Over 46
85	64	29	9  (14%)	26 (40.6%)	17 (26.6%)	1 (1.6%)

 
(Note that the numbers of alleged perpetrators referred to within each age group refers to those where the victim was the perpetrator’s partner. Figures do not entirely balance as details were not available in a small number of cases)

At this stage it is difficult to draw any significant conclusions in relation to these two areas from this data alone. However, analysis undertaken as part of the New Deal for Communities showed that over the period May 1999 to April 2000 there were 649 incidents reported to the police. This rate of reporting represents 13.7 per 1,000 women in Wood End, compared to 2.5 per 1000 across Coventry as a whole.

Data held by other agencies

The Probation Service was able to provide some information about men being referred to the West Midland Domestic Violence Perpetrator Programme for convicted offenders. During the period 1 June 2000 to 31 May 2001, 8 referrals were made of offenders possibly suitable for the programme. After initial assessment[4], 7 of these were thought suitable and this recommendation was made within the pre-sentence report. For four of these, an order was made with a condition of attendance at the Programme. Since January 2001, 10 offenders have begun the Programme and none has yet completed.

The Social Services Department was also able to provide some statistical information, particularly in relation to child protection. Male domestic violence was recognised as present as in issue in almost 35% (n=1885) of child protection conferences held in the eighteen-month period December 1998-July 2000, although the actual level could be twice as high (Hester et al., 1998). The vast majority of these men are not convicted, and some of them are very violent. Some of the most violent appear repeatedly, though not always in the same family. Where domestic violence is present, alcohol or drug use may also be significant.  Domestic violence perpetrated by women against men does arise, as does violence in same sex relationships, but is a very small proportion of domestic violence.

HealthVisiting  Although no specific data is kept, in discussions with Health Visitors, they estimated that domestic violence is a known factor in approximately 2% of cases, although it may be a hidden factor or suspected in many more (Peckover, 2000; Williamson, 2000).

The Coventry and Warwickshire Family Mediation Service estimate that domestic violence is significant in approximately 5% of their cases and an issue in more.