The scale of the problem

The scale of the problem

More than 1 in 20 crimes reported to the British Crime Survey (2000) were classified as domestic violence – almost a quarter of all violent crime. (British Crime Survey England & Wales 2000)
1 in 4 women will experience domestic violence at some time in their lives. (BMA 1998)
Domestic Violence is the least likely crime to be reported to the police. It is estimated that under 1/3 of incidents were reported in 2000 (British Crime Survey England & Wales 2000)
Domestic Violence occurs across society, regardless of age, gender, sexuality, wealth & geography (Home Office Research Study 1991 – 1999)
8% of male murders and 50% of females murders are domestic. (Crime in England & Wales 2002).
Among women, risks of domestic violence do not differ significantly by ethnic origin (Home Office Research Study 1991 - 1999)
People in LGBT communities (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) experience domestic violence in a similar proportion to the rest of the population - 1 in 4 (Prevalence of Domestic Violence among Lesbians & Gay Men – 2003)
Within the UK an incidence of domestic abuse occurs every 6 to 20 seconds (The Day to Count – Betsy Stanko 2000)
On average 2 women per week are killed by a partner or ex-partner in England & Wales (Home Office 1999)
1 in 5 young men and 1 in 10 young women think that abuse or violence against women is acceptable (Zero Tolerance Charitable Trust 1998)
50% of women in touch with mental health services have experienced domestic abuse. (Women’s Mental Health 2002)
On average a woman will be assaulted by her partner or ex-partner 35 times before reporting it to the police (Violence Against Women – London RCOG1997)
In 90% of incidents involving domestic abuse, the children are in the same or the next room (Hughes 1992)
76% of children who were ordered by the courts to have contact with a violent parent were said to have been further abused as a result (Unreasonable Fears – Radford, Sayer & AMICA 1999)