Almost one in ten adults in England and Wales reported experiencing domestic abuse in the past year, marking a significant increase, according to the latest Crime Survey for England and Wales. The survey found that 9.6 percent of people aged 16 and over were victims of domestic abuse, equating to approximately 4.7 million individuals. This compares with 3.8 million who reported domestic abuse in the 12 months prior to September 2023.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) attributed part of this rise to an increase in partner abuse, which was reported by 7.9 percent of adults, up from 6.1 percent the year before. Other crime categories showed a decline, with robbery reaching a record low and overall violence falling to its lowest level since the survey began in 1981.
Meghan Elkin, head of crime statistics at the ONS, cautioned that minor changes to the survey and the complexities of collecting data on sensitive subjects may have influenced the figures. However, she emphasized that the available evidence suggests the increase in domestic abuse points to a genuine change, noting the need for further data to better understand the trends.
The findings have sparked concern among campaigners and charities. Refuge, a domestic violence support organization, stated that the government appears off track to meet Labour’s 10-year pledge to halve violence against women and girls. Katie Kempen, chief executive of Victim Support, described the rise in partner abuse as a "huge concern" and urged for domestic abuse to be treated as an urgent national priority, while acknowledging the welcome decrease in other types of crime.
The Home Office responded by reaffirming its commitment to tackling domestic abuse. Measures cited include embedding domestic abuse specialists in emergency call centers and introducing innovative domestic abuse protection orders aimed at enhancing victim safety.
The survey’s findings coincide with Domestic Abuse Awareness Month, during which survivors shared their experiences. Harriet Southall, a 32-year-old district nurse, recounted enduring controlling behavior and violence over a four-year relationship. In a particularly violent episode last September, her then-partner, Jake Blount, assaulted her by choking and repeatedly striking her with a mobile phone after she returned from a night out. Southall described fearing for her life and ultimately escaping by feigning unconsciousness before contacting the police. Blount later pleaded guilty to assault and intentional strangulation and received an 18-month prison sentence.
These reports underscore a complex national picture in which overall crime rates are falling, yet domestic abuse — particularly partner abuse — is rising, prompting renewed calls for focused policy and support measures to address the issue.