Statistics
In a one year period ending March 2018, nearly 2 million cases of domestic violence or abuse (DVA) were officially recorded; with 1.3 million of those cases being against females (ONS, 2018). The Crime Survery for England & Wales (CSEW), indicates that 4/5 women do not report their partners who abuse them (ONS, 2018). This suggests that the numbers of females being domestically abused is likely to be significantly higher than the recorded statistics indicate.
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The nature of DVA is underpinned by secrecy, acceptance and a culture of normalisation to domestic abuse. Therefore its true prevalence is challenging to attain. All statistics must be recognised as estimates, yet possessing an understanding of what these estimates are can support understanding of the extensive existence of DVA.
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Social workers must strive to break 'the secret' of DVA. Supporting and empowering individuals to recognise abuse, seek help and empower social development in the conceptualisation of DVA. Possessing broader knowledge of DVA statistics can help practitioners (and the public) to develop an understanding of the horrifying truth; that DVA is the UK's most prominent social problem and needs a great deal more investment, resources, more encompassing legislations, preventative educations and early interventions to diminish of DVA in the future.
7.9% of women were recorded as experiencing domestic abuse in the year ending March 2018 (ONS, 2018).
The UK's Forced Marriage Unit responded to 1735 reports of Forced Marriages in 2010
(LWA, 2014).
In the year ending March 2017, domestic abuse was estimated to have cost 66 million in England & Wales
(ONS, 2018).
Homeless charity, Shelter, highlighted that the majority of females living on the streets whom they support, declared domestic abuse as the primary reason for their homelessness
(Shelter, 2002; 2013).
Females with disabilities are twice as likely to experience domestic abuse comparatively to those without disabilities (ONS, 2018).
92% of migrant women report being threatened with deportation by their abuser (Amnesty, 2019).
48.4% of females experience psychological aggression by
an intimate partner during their lifetime (Ananias Foundation, 2018).
1 in 5 women are recorded as having experienced at least one incident of severe violence by an intimate partner (Ananias Foundation, 2018).
On average, two women are murdered by male domestic abusers each week in England
(LWA, 2014).
Around 400 females commit suicide annually who have attended hospital with domestic abuse injuries within the previous 6 months; 200 of these individuals had attended hospital on the day they went on to commit suicide
(LWA, 2014).
On average, female's endure 35 'traumatic incidents' before they will call the police
(LWA, 2014).
Not all perpetrators of female domestic abuse are male.
1 in 4 lesbian and bi women have identified as experiencing domestic abuse in a relationship. Two thirds of those say the perpetrator was a woman
(Stonewall, 2016).
