Please note that this page will be updated and added to as and when new statistics become available.

Many women who are abused by an intimate partner, continue to keep the abuse secret from family and friends. Although in this country, the reported incidence is increasing (according to British Crime Survey Statistics 1996) the problem of domestic violence within the home remains largely hidden.

Statistics on domestic violence tend to be under-stated. Research carried out both in th UK and internationally has shown that domestic violence is an under-reported and under-recorded crime. The British Crime Survey, 1996 estimated that only a quarter of all domestic violence incidents are reported to the police. Thus, the true extent of domestic violence is unknown. However, the following statistics highlight domestic violence as a central problem in many women's lives:

• 1 woman in 9 is severely beaten by her male partner each year (1)
• 1 woman in 4 experience domestic violence at some time in her life (2)
• 2 women are murdered each week by their current or former partners (3)
• Domestic violence counts for one quarter of all violent crime (4)
• Domestic violence often starts and/or escalates during pregnancy (5)
• Women aged 16-29 are at greatest risk of experiencing domestic violence (6)
• 22-35% of women attend A & E departments as a direct result of domestic violence (7)
• Domestic violence is more common than violence in the street, pub or workplace (8)

References:
1 Stanko (1998)
2,3,4,5,6 British Crime Survey (1998)
7 Hadley (1992)
8 Victim Support (1992)