The Archers: Verdict revealed in Helen Titchener trial (Spoiler Alert)

SailorSam

I know it's not real. I know it's only a story. But i think it could be important. For those that don't listen to the Archers on R4, Helen has been the target of domestic abuse from her husband for years and finally cracked and tried to kill him. Last night the jury found her not guilty.
I don't listen, i only know what has gone second hand seeing clips on the news, but is this the right decision ?
I think so.
Women in real life may feel better about it knowing that the authorities can understand what is going on behind closed doors.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-37333372

pollypenny

Does anyone remember a thread about a potentially abusive relationship back when this plot line began?

Most of us realised it was about The Archers.

Marisco

Well, all I know is Ross Poldark was found "not guilty" last night :T:beer::j:D

ariarnia

yeah... Unfortunately it's not actually all that easy.

The issue with defending a case of domestic violence self defence is two fold - being sure (sensitively but credibly) an attacker is not pretending to be a victim - especially in situations where the male may be the victim - and secondly proving self defence over assault.

To argue self defence, first you need to prove the victim was in imminent danger and then you need to establish the response was proportionate/reasonable.

A victim of domestic abuse may attack their abuser when their abuser is in some way perceived to be vulnerable - asleep or drunk for example - as they don't have the 'courage' to do it while their abuser is alert.

They may not feel they can just walk out, but if the abuser is in no fit state to stop them or hurt them at that point, it's very hard to argue self defence.

A victim of domestic abuse may react disproportionally to the threat at hand - such as stabbing their abuser with a kitchen knife for making a verbal threat.

The threat may be real and the same threat may have been made prior to physical abuse previously but it's hard to argue stabbing someone was proportionate when no physical assault is taking place.

It's not easy and it's not nice - And I'm not sure something like this is the best case study to use.

I'd always advocate walking out the door and going to your nearest police station, woman's shelter, GP surgery - or at a pinch - church.

You might not have on more than the shirt on your back, but shirts can be replaced - scars last forever.

SailorSam

Marisco wrote: »

Well, all I know is Ross Poldark was found "not guilty" last night :T:beer::j:D

Who is he ? What did he do ?
Or if they found him not guilty, what didn't he do.

Marisco

SailorSam wrote: »

Who is he ? What did he do ?
Or if they found him not guilty, what didn't he do.

You don't watch Poldark????? :eek: 9pm Sunday nights BBC1. He was accused of causing a riot and ship wrecking off the coast of Cornwall, his rival Warleggen wants him gone (hanged) so he can get his hands on his tin mine

Head_The_Ball

SailorSam wrote: »

I know it's not real. I know it's only a story. But i think it could be important. For those that don't listen to the Archers on R4, Helen has been the target of domestic abuse from her husband for years and finally cracked and tried to kill him. Last night the jury found her not guilty....

The Archers isn't real? :eek:

Pull the other one.

Next thing you will be telling me that Coronation Street isn't a documentary about life in NW Manchester.

marcarm

You might want to spoiler that post about Poldark, it was only on last night so not everyone has seen it, and they come into this thread to read something about the Archers. I'd know if I watched it I'd be really annoyed about having it spoiled.

Plenty of people watch it on iplayer, and would not be expecting to read about it in a threads about something completely different