In the UK
Domestic Abuse consists of any of the following:
Physical abuse
Sexual abuse
Violent or threatening behaviour
Controlling or coercive behaviour
Economic abuse
Psychological, emotional or other abuse
Where the victim and perpetrator(s) are aged 16 or over and are “personally connected” to each other. It does not matter whether the behaviour consists of a single incident or a course of conduct.
1 in 5 adults experience Domestic Abuse during their lifetime. This equates to: 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6-7 men.
The police recorded 1,350,428 domestic abuse-related crimes and incidents in England and Wales in the year ending March 2024.
Women are more likely to experience repeat victimisation, be physically injured or killed and experience sexual violence.
A domestic abuse related call is made to the police every 30 seconds.
Less than one-in-five victims and survivors report to the police.
New findings reveal that 12.6 million people have experienced abusive behaviour from a partner or family member. With 1 in 5 recorded crimes now linked to Violence Against Women & Girls (VAWG), and vital services stretched beyond capacity,
The PAC‘s inquiry heard that the services supporting the victims and survivors of VAWG have reached crisis point, with evidence that refuges are having to refuse 65% of requests and community-based services are only able to support half of those who ask for help. The rise in demand is being compounded by the increasing complexity of the cases that services are dealing with, with almost half of those in refuges now presenting with mental health problems.
Domestic abuse is a national crisis – when will it be treated like one? - SafeLives
In the UK, abuse is rarely defended - it isn’t a cultural norm. Yet, the rise in misogynist worldviews and popularity of influencers who argue convincingly for an unequal power spread across genders, has bizarrely popularised the idea that women should be under the authority and control of men. At it's worst this is a narrative that believes women are of less value, or not to be trusted and need taming or controlling. Women can therefore find themselves in relationships where they are subtly or less than subtly being pressurised, devalued or demoralised, undermined and put down.
Tackling the crisis and the prevalence of abuse and violence takes a massive effort on all our part to shift culture, educate ourselves and eradicate the shame and silence that surrounds those who find themselves in danger.
No one should feel like they are undeserving of respect.