Gender-neutrality and Gender Equality: Comparing and Contrasting Policy Responses to ‘domestic Violence’ in Finland and Scotland

Violence against women is a serious social problem and human rights concern. What is usually referred to as ‘domestic violence’ is predominately perpetrated by men known to women through intimate or familial relationships. While there are some patterns and probabilities amongst men who are violent to known women (Walby and Myhill 2001), there is no typical abuser, and domestic violence appears in all social groups, races and religions, classes and age groups. Many argue that violence against women is central to the subordination of women and domestic violence particularly pernicious as it challenges the presumed self-identification with, and safety and security of, home and intimate relationships (Edwards 1989; Elman 1996; Kelly 1999; Nousiainen 2001).