UJUTK7-30-3

Family Law
Teaching Block 1
Seminar 7 Student Instructions

Domestic Abuse Part 1

1 Overview of the session

In our seminars in Weeks 7, 8, 9 and 10, we will explore domestic abuse and violence,
coercive control, stalking and harassment. This week, we will try to identify and understand
the issues. Next week and the week after, we will apply the law and formulate advice to a
party as to his/ her options. In the final week, we will attempt to evaluate recent reforms
including the Domestic Abuse Act 2021.

2 Aims of the session

In this session, we will consider the meaning, scope and prevalence and impact on survivors
of domestic abuse and violence and intimate partner violence.

3 Prepare:

Please:

 Prepare for, and attend/ watch, Lectorial 6

 Remind yourself of elements of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights
and Fundamental Freedoms (ECHR) 1950, paying particular attention to Articles 2, 3, 4
and 8:

https://www.echr.coe.int/documents/convention_eng.pdf

https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/human-rights-act/article-8-respect-your-private-
and-family-life

 Read Herring (11th Edition) (2021) Chapter 7, pages 309-324 and 357-365

 Consider the new definition of ‘domestic abuse’, behaviours and impacts by completing
the following table:

1
 Definition of ‘domestic Behaviours Impacts
abuse

(a) physical or sexual abuse

(b) violent or threatening

behaviour

(c) controlling or coercive

behaviour

(d) economic abuse

(e) psychological, emotional

or other abuse

2
4 Participate and practice:

During the seminar, we will:

4.1 Feedback on your answers in the above table regarding the new definition of
‘domestic abuse’, behaviours and impacts.

4.2 Consider some fact patterns

4.3 Discuss what the role of law should be in relation to domestic abuse.

5 Recap and reflection

6 After the seminar

6.1 Please:

o Work through your notes from the seminar and identify up to 3 things that you
have learnt about each of the following:

 Domestic violence and abuse, and intimate partner violence

 Yourself
 Your seminar group

o Organize your notes and make summaries to help you answer the
Coursework 1 question.

6.2 Please prepare for Week 8 with reference to the Student Instructions on Blackboard.