1. This paper is a non-empirical qualitative, critical review of the relevant to the central research question

literature.

2. Aim:

To explore different societal attitudes and points of views towards domestic violence and

examine how the Criminal Justice System has responded to these attitudes and individual

cases in the past.

3. Objectives:

– To explore how beliefs influence on the formation of attitudes towards domestic

violence

-To explore the different societal attitudes towards domestic violence and abuse

-To examine the influence of the societal attitudes on victims of domestic abuse

– To explore how the Criminal Justice System tackles domestic violence and how it

responds to the different societal attitudes towards the phenomenon

– To use the findings to point at any gaps at existing literature and inform future literature

5. Structure. – the structure of the dissertation should be structured as it follows: Introduction (1250-1500 words), Method (1250-1500 words), 3 emergent themes and discussion (4000-5000 words) and Conclusion (500-1000 words).

4. Dissertation Assessment Criteria

– Identify, explain and locate research planning within a critical review of the literature

– Devise and sustain a research question/s within the context of criminological debates and/or criminal justice practice

– Identify, justify and use an appropriate strategy for specific research problems by critically evaluating a range of

research strategies and methods and assessing the

appropriateness of their use

– Identify, justify and use methodological knowledge to create a framework for analysis