Domestic abuse and the military

Supporting domestic abuse victims within the armed forces community

SafeLives is proud to partner with the Army Benevolent Fund (ABF) on a three-year initiative to improve the response to domestic abuse within the armed forces community. This project is designed to deliver a tailored, sustainable training and support model that meets the unique needs of serving and veteran Army families, including survivors, their children, and military personnel.

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Why this project matters

Domestic abuse (DA) within military communities presents complex, often hidden challenges.

Military life creates unique dynamics that can make abuse harder to identify and address. Survivors often live within tight-knit, hierarchical systems where rank, dependency, and community culture can mask abuse and discourage reporting.

The reality of domestic abuse in the military

• 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime – and military communities are not immune.
• Research shows that domestic abuse is more prevalent in UK military families than in the general population. (MacManus, 2022.)
• Military families often face more severe and repeated abuse than non-military families.
• Abuse rates are highest in the Army, compared to the RAF or Navy. (MacManus, 2022.)
• The King’s Centre for Military Health Research found 12.4% of Regulars committed physical assault in the weeks following deployment – many against family members.
• A US study found that PTSD affects 15-20% of military personnel post-deployment, and is strongly linked to increased risk of domestic abuse.

Key risk factors in military settings

1. High exposure to trauma, mental health challenges, and substance misuse

2. Power imbalances and dependency, especially where housing or welfare is tied to the abuser’s role

3. Systemic gaps in understanding and acknowledging domestic abuse within military institutions.

Our mission

The Ministry of Defence (2024) has recognised the need to implement strategies to address domestic abuse within a military context, proposing an action plan aimed at fostering a whole-system response to the issue. In line with this, this project is committed to: transforming how domestic abuse is recognised, understood, and addressed across the Army.

This is about building systems of accountability, safety, and support — for both survivors and communities – and ensuring that military families are not left behind.

Our partners

This project is being delivered in collaboration with military specific DA services and projects.

If your organisation is interested in being involved, contact us today!

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Our  partners play a vital role in ensuring support is tailored, consistent, and embedded within military life, rather than treated as an add-on to generic domestic abuse provision.

Project aims

Over three years, we will:

• Increase the knowledge and confidence of military personnel to recognise and respond to domestic abuse.
• Enhance the capacity of Idvas/Idaas and other professionals to support military survivors effectively.
• Create more accessible opportunities for survivors to seek help and share their stories through campaigns and peer-led resources.
• Deliver specialist training to over 700 professionals, including Army Welfare Officers, Unit Welfare Officers, DMWS Officers, and Idvas/Idaas.
• Establish a network of Domestic Abuse Champions across the Army to promote long-term cultural and behavioural change.

This initiative will include the development and national roll-out of a ‘Responding well to military families’ training programme, a toolkit for multi-agency professionals, and a survivor-informed ‘Reach-In’ campaign to ensure survivors feel supported, not sidelined.

Learn more about our ‘Responding well to military families’ free, one day training programme for domestic abuse professionals supporting victim-survivors in military communities, sponsored by the Army Benevolent Fund.