Key statistics on the prevalence of domestic abuse

Current estimates of domestic abuse (DA):

In 2010/2011, an average of 2 women a week were killed by a male and/or former partner: this constituted around one-third of all female homicide victims (Smith, Osborne, Lau, & Britton, 2012). This finding is consistent with previous years (Department of Health, 2005; Home Office, 1999; Povey, 2004, 2005).
Approximately 100,000 individuals are currently (2011/2012) at high risk of serious harm or murder as a result of DA (CAADA, 2012).
In 2010/2011, domestic violence accounted for 18% of all violent incidents reported in England and Wales (Chaplin, Flatley, & Smith, 2011) .
7% of women and 5% of men reported DA in 2010/ 2011. This is equivalent to approximately 1.2 million female and 800,000 male victims of DA (Smith, Osborne, Lau, & Britton, 2011) .
In 2010/2011, repeat victimisation accounted for 73% of all incidents of domestic violence, 44 % were victimised more than once and 24% of victims had been victimised three times or more (Chaplin et al., 2011).
Approximately 130,000 children are currently (2011/ 2012) living with DA (CAADA, 2012).

DA over individuals' lifetime:

Since the age of 16, almost 30 % of women and 17 % of men in England and Wales have experienced some form of domestic abuse (Chaplin et al., 2011).
Not only are women more likely to have experienced domestic abuse (see above), they are also more likely to have experienced multiple incidents of abuse. Indeed, 89% of those individuals who have been subject to 4 or more incidents of DA (same perpetrator) since the age of 16 are women (Walby & Allen, 2004).
The average length of the abusive relationship is 5 years (CAADA, 2012).

DA in Europe:

In Europe, a research review showed that 12 - 15 % of women experience DA during their lifetime (since age 16; Council of Europe, 2011).
6 - 10 % of women are currently experiencing DA in any given year (Council of Europe, 2002).

The estimated economic costs of DA:

Domestic abuse costs the tax payer an estimated £3.9bn per year (CAADA, 2010; Walby, 2004, 2009).
High risk domestic abuse makes up nearly £2.4bn of these costs (CAADA, 2010; Walby, 2004, 2009).
If a comprehensive process involving IDVA services and MARACs was employed throughout England and Wales, every £1 spent on the MARAC model annually would save the public purse £6 (CAADA, 2010).
Considering the current process involving IDVA services and MARACs implemented in England and Wales, every £1 spent on this model annually saves the public purse £2.90 (CAADA, 2012).

References:

CAADA. (2010). Saving lives, saving money: MARACs and high risk domestic abuse. Bristol.

CAADA. (2012). A place of greater safety: Insights into domestic abuse 1. Bristol.

Chaplin, R., Flatley, J., & Smith, K. (2011). Crime in England and Wales 2010/ 11: findings from the British Crime Survey and Police recorded time (Vol. 2). London.

Council of Europe. (2002). Recommendation 5 of the committee of ministers to member states on the protection of women against violence adopted on 30 April 2002 and Explanatory Memorandum. Strasbourg, France.

Council of Europe. (2011). Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence: Explanatory Memorandum. Strabourg, France.

Department of Health. (2005). Responding to domestic abuse: A handbook for health professionals. London.

Home Office. (1999). Criminal statistics, England and Wales. London.

Povey, D. (2004). Crime in England and Wales 2002/ 2003: Supplementary volume 1 - Homicide and gun crime. London.

Povey, D. (2005). Crime in England and Wales 2003/ 2004: Supplementary Volume 1 - Homicide and gun crime. London.

Smith, K., Osborne, S., Lau, I., & Britton, A. (2011). Homicides, firearm offences and intimate violence 2010/ 2011: Supplementary volume 2 to Crime in England and Wales. London.

Smith, K., Osborne, S., Lau, I., & Britton, A. (2012). Homicides, firearm offences and intimate partner violence 2010/ 2011: Supplementary volume 2 to Crime in England and Wales. London.

Walby, S. (2004). The cost of domestic violence. London.

Walby, S. (2009). The cost of domestic violence: Update 2009 . Lancaster.

Walby, S., & Allen, J. (2004). Domestic violence, sexual assualt and stalking: Findings from the British Crime Survey. London.

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