Women's Aid responds to new ONS Crime Survey

“We are deeply troubled to see today’s ONS figures showing a significant increase in people experiencing domestic abuse over the last year compared to the previous year. 

1 in 10 people experienced domestic abuse in the last year and 1 in 8 women experienced at least one of the following abuse types: domestic abuse, sexual victimisation or stalking. This is a staggering number of people affected in the last year and is a reminder that if domestic abuse doesn’t affect us directly it will be affecting someone we know. 

We’ve expressed increasing concern about the rise of online harassment and how new forms of abuse are being perpetrated in line with of digital trends. This is especially concerning when we consider the long-lasting impact that abuse has on young people, the group with the most exposure to digital harm. 

We’re pleased to see new methodology being implemented by the ONS that Women’s Aid supported the development of. Abuse scales allow us to see a clearer picture of these crimes, grouping together types of victims that experience domestic abuse based on the abusive behaviours and their impacts. 

With new questions and new data collection methods, we cannot identify crime trends at this stage but the information released today paints a stark picture of how many people are affected by domestic abuse. 

Turning back the tide of abuse is a huge challenge which will take effort from everyone – listening to and believing what survivors tell us – combined with a more strategic approach from government.  

As government considers how to respond to these statistics, ministers should ensure their approach includes investment in specialist responses, including in support services by and for the women that use them, and in the public services who are at the front line of the domestic abuse response, from policing and probation to health and education. We hope that as the Chancellor prepares the budget for next week, these shocking prevalence figures are at the top of his mind.”