Citation

Hague G. Womens Stud. Int. Forum 1998; 21(4): 441-449.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1998, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/S0277-5395(98)00037-5

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Multiagency work as a response to domestic violence is now being encouraged worldwide with the development of complex interagency intervention projects in some countries. In the UK, interagency coordination currently forms a principal plank of domestic violence policy. This paper reports on a major national study of the 200 or so multiagency initiatives presently existing in Britain. Domestic violence interagency forums of this type can clearly be a creative way forward, on one hand, but a smokescreen or a facesaver to disguise inaction on the other. The article discusses resources, possible competition with women's services, and power, control and equality issues, including the way that women experiencing domestic violence are little involved at the moment and interagency initiativies are rarely accountable to them in any way. Possible marginalisation of the shelter movement, and the issues and difficulties involved in building a mainstream interagency response in which a vibrant social movement of women is centrally involved, are matters of concern in developing this potentially innovative approach to tackling domestic violence.