It is about power and control. It’s not just physical.
Domestic abuse affects more people in the UK than you might think, and the ripple affects are huge. The vast majority of perpetrators are men, and the vast majority of victims are women, and this is because of gender inequality which shapes our society. But, domestic abuse can affect anyone, regardless of how old they are, what religion they believe in, who they love, how much money they have, or where they come from.
It most commonly happens between intimate partners or exes, but it can also involve parents, siblings and carers.
Whilst reading the domestic abuse statistics and facts below, bear in mind the secretive and hidden nature of domestic abuse, which means it is often unreported and the true scale is likely much higher.
.
1 in 5
adults experiences domestic abuse in their lifetime
2
women are killed by their partner or ex every week
2880
domestic abuse related calls are made to the police every day
Domestic abuse and high risk harm
For many victims, domestic abuse can escalate to serious violence, homicide or suicide. More than 75,000 people each year are assessed as being at high and imminent risk of serious harm or murder due to domestic abuse.
Fact: The period immediately after leaving an abusive relationship is often one of the highest-risk times for survivors.
Frequently asked questions
Abuse often builds gradually, which can make it hard to recognise, especially when it’s mixed with moments of affection, apology, or things feeling ‘back to normal’. This is part of what makes it so difficult to name. Below are ways domestic abuse can show up.
- Coercive control
- Emotional abuse
- Physical abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Economic abuse
- Digital abuse
- Stalking and harassment
Domestic abuse can affect anyone.
Research shows:
- Women are more likely to experience repeated, severe and high-risk abuse.
- Men can also be victims of domestic abuse and may face additional barriers when seeking support.
- Abuse occurs across all communities, cultures, religions and socioeconomic groups.
- Children and young people living with domestic abuse can experience significant emotional, behavioural and developmental impacts.
Domestic abuse can have long-lasting effects on individuals and families, including:
Physical Impact
- Injuries and chronic health conditions
- Sleep difficulties
- Substance misuse issues
- Increased healthcare needs
Emotional and Mental Health Impact
- Anxiety and depression
- Trauma and PTSD
- Low self-esteem
- Self-harm and suicidal thoughts
Financial Impact
- Debt and financial dependence
- Employment difficulties
- Housing insecurity
- Homelessness
Many victims never report domestic abuse to the police or support services.
Common reasons include:
- Fear of retaliation
- Feel it’s in the children’s best interests to stay
- Being financially unable to leave
- Shame, guilt or embarrassment
- Lack of confidence that they will be believed
- They might have received a negative response when reaching out to someone for support in the past
- Isolation from friends and family and therefore trying to make decisions and take action alone, away from a support system
- Fear of what the future may hold
- Finding making such a big decision difficult or scary
- Cultural or language barriers
- Love, care and concern for their abuser
- Hope that things will get better
- Not realising what they’re experiencing is abuse
- Not knowing that there is help available for them
This is why official statistics only show part of the picture.
Domestic abuse can begin at any stage in a relationship but it is rarely a one-off incident.
Incidents of violent, threatening, or controlling behaviour become more frequent and severe over time.
On average people experience 50 incidents of domestic abuse before getting effective help.
It is a choice to behave in a violent and/or abusive way. It isn’t caused by stress, frustration or substance misuse.
There is never an excuse for domestic abuse, it is an unacceptable violation of human rights.
If you think you might be experiencing abuse you can use this website to explore your relationship and find out how to get help.