Revealing the Hidden Figure

Abstract

In this chapter I chart the hidden figure of domestic violence. I focus on women’s definitions of ‘violence’, their experiences of different forms of violence from husbands and boyfriends (including ex-husbands and ex-boyfriends), the impact that these experiences have had and when and to whom violence was reported. I draw from the evidence uncovered in the North London Domestic Violence Survey and the in-depth interviews which followed it.