How widespread is domestic abuse and what is the impact?

High numbers of women – and many men – will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime. The impact of domestic abuse on the victim and on children – even once they have achieved safety – is severe and long-lasting.

10.4 million adults
(aged 16+) in England and Wales have experienced domestic abuse since the age of 16.

This equates to a prevalence rate of approximately 22 in 100 adults.

Crime Survey England and Wales (2022). [Accessed 4th January 2024]
A quarter of 13–18 year old girls
report experiencing physical abuse in their own intimate partner relationships,

and one-third report experiencing sexual abuse.

NSPCC (2011), Partner Exploitation and Violence in Teenage Intimate Relationships.

How many people die as a result of domestic abuse?

Between 2020 and 2022, 186 women were murdered by their male partner or ex-partner in England and Wales. In comparison, 30 men were murdered by their female partner or ex-partner.¹
This means 1.8 women a week – or 8 a month – are killed by a current or ex-partner in England and Wales. ²
According to the Femicide Census from 2009 to 2018, 62% of women were killed by their current or ex-partner from 2009 to 2018. The risk of serious assault and death is highest for a woman after she leaves an abusive relationship. Of the women killed by partners or former partners, 43% were known to have separated or to be attempting to separate, which is likely to be an undercount.³
It is estimated that 1 in 8 women take their own lives as a result of domestic abuse: every day almost 30 women attempt suicide as a result of experiencing domestic abuse and every week three women take their own lives.⁴
In 2020-21, there were over 30 domestic abuse related suicides reported by the police, a likely underestimate as only those with a history of abuse were included.⁵
In a study of 32 Domestic Homicide Reviews, a quarter were family-related homicide, with most of those cases involving a parent killed by their adult child.⁶

What forms does domestic abuse take?

82% of high-risk victims experience multiple forms of abuse, including physical and sexual abuse, harassment and stalking and jealous and controlling behaviours.⁷
In 79% (8 in 10) high-risk cases, the abuse is escalating in either frequency or severity, or both.⁸
Approximately 42% of domestic violence victims have been victimised more than once. Victims experience an average of 20 incidents of domestic violence in a year, which can often increase in severity each time. ⁹
Over 70% of high-risk victims report experiencing physical abuse.¹⁰
Over 80% of high-risk victims report experiencing jealous and controlling behaviours.¹¹
78% of teenage victims of domestic abuse (aged 16-19 years) experienced physical abuse, and 34% sexual abuse. ¹²

What are the physical health impacts of domestic abuse?

1 in 5 high-risk victims reported attending A&E as a result of their injuries in the year before getting effective help.¹³
As well as short term injuries, victims of abuse suffer long-term physical health consequences. Health conditions associated with abuse including asthma, bladder and kidney infections, cardiovascular disease, fibromyalgia, chronic pain syndromes, central nervous system disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, migraines/headaches. ¹⁴ ¹⁵ ¹⁶
Domestic abuse often leaves victims with reproductive consequences too, including gynaecological disorders, sexually transmitted infections, pre-term difficulties and pregnancy difficulties.¹⁷

At least a fifth (18%) of children in domestic abuse households are injured as a result of the abuse.¹⁸

What are the mental health impacts of domestic abuse?

Over 50% of high-risk victims report having mental health issues ¹⁹
7% of victims report that they have considered or attempted suicide as a result of the abuse, and 17% report self-harming ²⁰
Domestic abuse has significant psychological consequences for victims, including anxiety, depression, suicidal behaviour, low self-esteem, inability to trust others, flashbacks, sleep disturbances and emotional detachment.²¹
Domestic abuse victims are at risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) – as many as two-thirds of victims of abuse (64%) developed PTSD in one study.²²
Between 30-60% of psychiatric in-patients had experienced severe domestic abuse.²³

How widespread is domestic abuse and what is the impact?

(aged 16+) in England and Wales have experienced domestic abuse since the age of 16.

report experiencing physical abuse in their own intimate partner relationships,

How many people die as a result of domestic abuse?

What forms does domestic abuse take?

What are the physical health impacts of domestic abuse?

What are the mental health impacts of domestic abuse?

Marac data

Insights data

Research and policy