The Statistics
The Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) estimated that 5.0% of adults (6.9% women and 3.0% men) aged 16 years and over experienced domestic abuse in the year ending March 2022; this equates to an estimated 2.4 million adults (1.7 million women and 699,000 men).
The police recorded 1,500,369 DA-related incidents and crimes in England and Wales in the year ending March 2022; 910,980 of these were recorded as domestic abuse -related crimes. The number of domestic abuse-related crimes has continued to increase in recent years with the latest figure 7.7% higher than the year ending March 2021, and 14.1% higher than the year ending March 2020 (ONS 2022).
Each year there are >1 million calls to police in England and Wales about domestic abuse; on average someone contacts the police every 30 seconds for help with domestic abuse.
(Crime survey for England and Wales 2020) On average a women is assaulted 35 times before calling the police ( Women’s Aid 2018) 90% of children hear or see DA when it happens at home.
Gender and Risk
2-3 women are killed every week by their partner or ex-partner, in Engand and Wales. Everyday almost 30 women attempt suicide as a result of experiencing domestic abuse and three women a week take their own lives to escape abuse (Women’s Aid 2020). Abused women are 5 times more likely to attempt suicide; and third of all female suicide attempts can be attributed to current or past experience of DA.
Nationally most domestic homicide victims between 2017 and 2019 were female (77% or 274 victims) and most of the suspects were male (263 out of 274; 96%).
Of the 83 male victims of domestic homicide, the suspect was female in 39 cases (46%), and male in 44 (54%) cases. (Published online: ONS2020)
Female domestic abuse survivors are twice more likely at risk of long-term illness: depression, diabetes, asthma and digestive disease (Journal of Interpersonal Violence 2019)
Majority of female psychiatric patients report to have experienced DA in their lifetime. Most prevalent cause of depression and other mental health difficulties.
70% women psychiatrist in –patients and 80% of those in secure settings have histories of physical or sexual abuse.
Domestic abuse commonly results in self-harm and attempted suicide: one –third of women attending emergency departments for self-harm were domestic abuse survivors .
Strong link between DA and Post-natal illness.
Victims of DA are thought to be at increased risk of substance dependency as consequence of DA (Women’s Aid )
The impact of domestic abuse (DA) on anyone and can be devastating. The effects are often hidden, leaving lasting physical, mental, social, and economic damage which can last a lifetime. It is estimated nationally that the cost of DA is upwards of £66 billion annually, most notably in costs associated with the long lasting emotional or mental impacts of DA, but also significantly in physical healthcare, policing, criminal justice, and lost productivity.
We know that far too many individuals have their lives destroyed by domestic abuse. However, for so many, their experience of abuse has been stigmatised, diminished, or worse still, ignored. We also know domestic abuse has a devastating impact on children and young people. Growing up in a household of fear and intimidation can impact their health, wellbeing, and development, with lasting effects into adulthood.
We need to build a society that has zero tolerance towards domestic abuse, and actively empowers victims, communities, and professionals to confront and challenge it, and provide victims of domestic abuse, including children, with the support they deserve. (DA Act Statutory Guidance 2022)
Freephone 24h National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247
OCTOBER 2020
This truly is the time to keep an eye out for your neighbours, relatives, friends and colleagues
We have all seen in the news reports; the increase in calls to domestic abuse helplines and harrowingly the increase in domestic homicides during the lockdown
Firstly: Corona virus doesn’t trigger abuse. An abuser triggers abuse. Blaming coronavirus or blaming financial worries for abuse or murder suggests anyone could become an abuser or do the same given the circumstances and this is simply not true. The responsibility for domestic abuse starts and ends with the abuser. The abuse belongs to them.
There are many known factors that increase the risks of someone being abused:
- Pregnancy
- Having a baby under 12 months old
- Lack of safe and appropriate support sources
- Age, disability or other factors, making safety strategies difficult to implement.
- Victim threatens to leave
- Perpetrator threatens suicide
- Immigration status
- Isolation from family and friends
Domestic abuse has an enormous effect on a victim’s mental health. The emotional effects of domestic abuse can cause; depression, anxiety, panic attacks, loss of self-confidence, difficulty in sleeping and concentration difficulties. It can lead to increased use of alcohol, drugs and other substances.
Ordinarily, the window for a victim of abuse to seek help is extremely limited, but during periods of isolation with perpetrators, this window narrows further.
Signs of abuse to look out for include:
- Someone is being deprived of basic needs such as food or medication.
- They are not allowed out to go out, not even once a day to the shops.
- They are not allowed to call any support services, including medical services.
If you are family, friend or a neighbour can you make your self – safely – to be that trusted friend who keeps in touch?
Are you able to encourage someone to talk to you about what they are experiencing? Could you be that friend a survivor can set up a code word/phrase to let you know that it is not safe to talk or to ask you to phone the police? Could you be that trusted person to set up a check in call so a survivor knows that someone will contact them at certain times of the week?
During the lockdown it may not be safe to ask someone about the safety of their relationship, but you can ask gentle general questions about how someone is feeling?
What you have seen may not be something that you would easily identify as abuse but you might have noticed behavior and attitudes that make you uncomfortable. Ask how things are going at home?
If someone disclosed abuse, it is important consider what action to take. Do not just storm in.
Listen, believe and remind them that the abuse is not their fault ; What ever the circumstances violence, abuse and control can not be justified.
Explain that they are not alone ;help and support is avaible. This will give the person hope for the future.
What ever safe means of commutations you have keep them open.
Encourage them to either contact the police( reassure them that the police will come ) or a specialist domestic abuse support organisations.
Do not approach the perpetrator, this could escalate the abuse and put you and the victim/survivor at risk of harm.
Make sure you keep your self-informed.
-National Domestic abuse helpline 0808 2000 247 .You can speak to specialist domestic abuse services for advice and support .Helpline staff can discuss a survivor’s rights and options with a third party and are able to signpost useful services that they can pass on, such as community-based outreach services.
If someone is in danger call 999