Recent statistics indicate that 5% of the female populace in England and Wales encountered domestic violence over the last year.
The Office for National Statistics disclosed that 1,600,000 women and 712,000 men were victimized as of March 2024, summing up to 2,300,000 individuals aged 16 and over in England and Wales who endured such violence.
Law enforcement documented 851,062 incidents of domestic violence and 499,366 ‘incidents’ – with domestic abuse-related offences comprising 15.8% of all crimes reported to the police in the past year.
Among these recorded offences, 72.5% of the affected individuals were female over the past year – an astonishing statistic.
There was a 6.6% decline in reported domestic violence-related offences compared to 2023.
Additionally, there was a slight reduction in prosecutions for domestic violence, which decreased to 51,183 from 51,288 in 2023.
Discover more about domestic violence in the UK
- One in four women will encounter domestic violence at some stage in their lives.
- Research from the ONS demonstrated that last year, police recorded a domestic violence incident approximately every 40 seconds.
- However, the Crime Survey for England & Wales data for the year ending March 2023 revealed that only 18.9% of women who faced partner violence in the last 12 months reported the abuse to authorities.
- As per Refuge, 84% of individuals affected in domestic violence cases are female, while 93% of offenders are male.
- Safe Lives notes that women with disabilities are twice as likely to experience domestic violence compared to their non-disabled counterparts and typically endure domestic violence for a longer duration before seeking assistance.
- Refuge also indicates that, on average, it requires seven attempts before a woman can leave an abusive situation for good.
Today, it was announced that domestic abusers will face stricter penalties with the introduction of new court orders designed to keep them away from their victims.
The new Domestic Abuse Protection Notices and Orders (DAPNs and DAPOs), legislated by the prior administration in 2021, are set to be piloted in certain regions of England and Wales prior to nationwide implementation.
The new orders can be enacted by any court and consolidate powers from existing protective orders to offer ‘adaptable and enduring protection’ for victims of domestic violence, according to Domestic Abuse Commissioner Nicole Jacobs.
These measures are designed to address all forms of domestic violence and, unlike certain orders that expire after 28 days, will have no time limitations.
Last year, over one million crimes against women and girls – encompassing domestic violence, rape, stalking and revenge pornography – were logged in England and Wales, accounting for 20% of all recorded crimes.
What measures to take if a loved one is at risk of domestic violence
If you believe it is safe, gently and thoughtfully approaching them may suffice to encourage someone to confide in you. Alternatively, reminding them about organizations such as Women’s Aid and Refuge may assist them in seeking help.
Ultimately, there are numerous ways to provide support.
- Listen: Engage in active listening, where you genuinely focus on what the individual is communicating without overwhelming them with queries. They may not yet be comfortable discussing the violence directly.
- Avoid judgment: It is easy to slip into a critical stance, either towards the abuser or the victim for seemingly ‘choosing’ to remain in the relationship. Refrain from negative comments about their partner – understand that your friend or family member may still have feelings for them, regardless of your own opinions.
- Believe: Steer clear of expressions like, ‘But they’ve always treated me well’ or ‘I can’t picture them doing that’. Absorb what your loved one is sharing with an open heart and affirm to them that you are present for support.
- Provide support: Acknowledging domestic violence is a journey. Offering information on what constitutes abuse or sharing helpline contacts, as long as it is safe to do so, provides your friend or family member the necessary time and space to comprehend their situation and decide on their next steps.
- Plan: If your loved one feels prepared to exit a domestic abuse situation, you can lend a hand. Gather non-local taxi numbers and transportation schedules, or prepare items needed in an emergency bag. You might also consider establishing a safe word between you and your loved one that signals they require help, and strategize on how to seek assistance.
Remember: Support is available, no matter how you are involved, and you do not have to face this alone.
Read more here
Furthermore, globally, every 11 minutes, a woman or girl is slain in her domicile.
These alarming figures emerge shortly after a report from UN Women underscored that the most perilous place for a woman is within her residence.
In 2023, 85,000 women and girls were murdered by men – with 60% of these homicides perpetrated by an acquaintance of the victim.
These statistics are merely the ‘tip of the iceberg’, as stated by Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, the deputy executive director of UN Women.
‘The data indicates that it is within the private and domestic realms of women’s lives, where they ought to feel secure, that so many are encountering life-threatening violence,’ she stated.
Among the 249 female domestic homicide victims from March 2020 to March 2022, in an astonishing 241 instances, the suspect was male.
Contact our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For additional stories of this nature, visit our news page.
