Response to the latest ONS data on domestic abuse
The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveal that 2.3 million adults in England and Wales experienced domestic abuse in the year ending March 2024. While police-recorded domestic abuse-related crimes fell from 911,248 to 851,062, this reduction must be viewed in the context of changes in recording practices introduced by the Home Office.
SafeLives echo concerns raised by the Domestic Abuse Commissioner and VAWG sector that requiring this change was very concerning, as victims will often report multiple crimes to the police. Not recording these crimes individually makes it harder to understand the extent and types of abuse being reported to the police by victims – particularly in relation to controlling and coercive behaviour.
It is important to note that data held by the police can only provide a partial picture of the actual level of domestic abuse experienced, as only 1 in 5 people report to the police. That’s why it’s essential we continue to capture a broad range of data and have a whole system response, with every public agency trained and ready to play their role in identifying domestic abuse and supporting victims of domestic abuse at the earliest opportunity.
ONS data will perform an important role in supporting measurement of the Government’s pledge to halve VAWG. The Government has said its starting point will be the ONS survey but acknowledges that “measure alone is not sufficient and will need to be supplemented by analysis of repeat abuse as some of the most serious violence that needs to be addressed is escalating and repeated domestic abuse where early intervention saves lives.”
For example, Marac data from the Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference process for cases assessed at the highest risk of serious harm or murder makes an important contribution to identifying repeat cases. SafeLives has provided guidance to Maracs on what constitutes a repeat offence.
We want to see a national domestic abuse data dashboard which draws together qualitative and quantitative data from survivors, frontline domestic abuse services, Maracs and local authorities. This is crucial to seeing the whole picture, being able to identify best practice, where gaps exist and how these can be addressed to drive progress in halving VAWG and ending domestic abuse for everyone and for good. Domestic abuse remains an enduring and devastating reality for far too many people, affecting individuals, families, and communities.
Behind every statistic is a person – someone whose life has been shaped by fear, harm, and often a lack of access to the right help. At SafeLives, we know domestic abuse is not inevitable. It can and must be stopped.
Our work focuses on transforming the response to domestic abuse to ensure it is joined-up, effective, and centered on the needs of survivors. We bring together the voices of survivors, data-driven insights, and evidence-based interventions to create meaningful change. This includes:
- Training and supporting frontline professionals, such as Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (Idvas), to offer expert, trauma-informed support.
- Collaborating with police, health, and housing sectors to improve identification and response at the earliest opportunity.
- Challenging systems to listen to and act on the experiences of survivors, ensuring their needs and voices drive decisions.
- Working directly with perpetrators to address and change abusive behavior, ensuring accountability and reducing harm to victims and families.
- Advocating for prevention strategies, including education for young people, to stop abuse before it starts.
We know that a one-size-fits-all approach does not work. Every survivor’s journey is different, and our aim is to build a response that meets people where they are, with services that reflect the diversity of their experiences.
The numbers in this dataset are stark, but they must galvanize us into action. It is not enough to monitor these figures year on year; we must work to make them a thing of the past. We urge policymakers, funders, and partners to invest in prevention, early intervention, and recovery services that give every individual the opportunity to live free from abuse.
Domestic abuse affects everyone, and everyone has a role to play in ending it. By working together, we can achieve a world where no one lives in fear, and everyone can live a life free from harm. We remain committed to making this vision a reality.
We must ensure no survivor is left behind.
Notes
The latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveals that in the year ending March 2024, approximately 2.3 million individuals aged 16 and over in England and Wales experienced domestic abuse, comprising 1.6 million women and 712,000 men.
This figure remains statistically consistent with the previous year.
Notably, police recorded 851,062 domestic abuse-related crimes during this period, marking a decrease from 911,248 in the prior year. This reduction is partly attributed to recent changes in police recording practices.