RESEARCH SHOWING WOMEN THREE TIMES MORE LIKELY TO BE ARRESTED IS CHALLENGEABLE

In September, the media reported research which allegedly showed that female perpetrators were three times as likely to be arrested than male perpetrators. This certainly seems odd as one of the many complaints is that the police arrest the man when there is a dispute over culpability as that is the easier option.

The research Who Does What To Whom from Professor Marianne Hester was certainly worth interrogating to see if this possibly could be true especially as it had received media attention and seemed to go against the grain. Of course, Bristol University's PR team wanted to create the most waves (press release).

Three things strike you as you read the report.

Firstly, that women are more likely to be used by a woman than a man (the Guardian spin this as self-defence). The figure is 24% to 11%.

Secondly, whilst the research is meant to compare 32 male and 32 female perpetrators, there is no discussion on the actual severity of the crimes. For an arrest the police would make an independent judgement and if an arrest needed to be made they would make it. However, there is no real indication on the severity of the crime to make a statement that women were more likely to be arrested for the same crime which would then prove some bias.

The last point and it is one made eloquently by Ally Fogg on The Guardian's Comment is Free site. Obviously he is well versed in police procedure as he makes the point that even when no arrests are made, the police still have to record a primary aggressor on their 'visit' sheet. There would be 'no questions asked' it is easier for the police officer to just put down the man. It means that Hester's figures may be distorted because of this as it would look like a man is less likely to be arrested than a woman, but that is based on the figures where the police will by default put the man down as a primary aggressor where no arrest has been made.

Again with all this and similarly with the gender pay gap issues, like for like issues have to be compared. Looking at the figures and not what lies beneath them leads to people with agendas being able to spin what they like. It is simply not credible to say that men are three time sless likely to be arrested for a DV crime than a woman.

Comments

[John Kimble]

I like this Ally Fogg guy, probably read his stuff before but only just realsie how great he clearly is.

[John Kimble]

Typo in 4th paragraph.

[Daveyone]

http://www.daveyonefamilylawman.blogspot.com/ thought you might like to see this! Davey

[Masters Dissertation]

Whenever i see the post like your's i feel that there are helpful people who share information for the help of others, it must be helpful for other's. thanx and good job.

http://www.mastersdissertation.co.uk/

[groan]

The piece Ally Fogg is very clear indeed. Note that in the research alcohol is almost universally a factor (rather than some patriarchal plot) as it is in the steep climb in public violence which has shown a steep rise.

Could I take this opportunity to plug Amen in Ireland where the estimable Mary Cleary has both been nominated for an award and run a publicity campaign.

http://www.amen.ie/Papers/071109_celebration_work_irl.htm

http://www.amen.ie/Papers/021109_amen_campaign_pics.htm

[John Kimble]

Just read up on that award, I see her on competitor is someone doing yet another breast cancer fundrasing event.

I'm all for suporting good casues, but how many of these breast cancer events do we need? There are countless other good causes out there (obviously male cancers for one, but many others too). I just hope she isn't banning men from her walks like those idiots at Cancer Research.

[Groan]

Interesting that the estimate for the whole of the UK is that there are 25000 men who are serial abuses, commit a crime in more than one relationship. Well it seems if theis is true (and we have to remember the estimates for sex traffikers proved very inflated) then the "war against women" doesn't have many foot soldiers in the 26 million men in the UK! No wonder Womensaid was a bit luke warm about Mr Moore's ACPO report.

Leaving aside some fanciful recommendations. an intersting read. Draws heavily on the Prof. Hester research in some parts.