The latest findings from the Domestic Homicides and Suspected Victim Suicides 2020-2024 Year 4 Report reveal the devastating toll of domestic abuse, with experts warning that urgent action is needed to prevent further loss of life.
The report highlights that at least one woman is killed every week by a male partner or ex-partner, with 11 children losing their lives this year alone due to domestic abuse-related homicides. It also sheds light on the widespread underreporting of suicides linked to domestic abuse, which experts believe represent only the “tip of the iceberg”.
Sarah Davidge, Head of Research and Evaluation at Women’s Aid, described the findings as further proof that domestic abuse is a “national emergency” with a deadly impact on women and children. She said:
“Every week, at least one woman is killed by her male partner or ex-partner and 11 child deaths this year alone should be a wake-up call for government investment in support for child survivors of domestic abuse. Women’s Aid’s own research estimates that only one in ten child victims of domestic abuse receive support from a refuge or community-based support service, leaving far too many without the help they need.”
Despite decades of expertise in violence against women and girls (VAWG), domestic abuse services remain severely underfunded. Davidge emphasised the consequences of this lack of investment:
“This report shows the human cost of leaving behind critical services to operate on shoestring budgets. Women and children are being turned away in their time of need—forcing them to return to an abusive partner or parent and putting even greater strain on already struggling public services, including the NHS.”
54% of domestic homicide suspects were already known to police as perpetrators before the victim’s death. Davidge added:
“This underscores the urgent need for stronger multi-agency collaboration to identify risks earlier, intervene effectively, and break the cycle of abuse before it turns fatal.”
Echoing these concerns, Ellie Butt, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at Refuge, pointed to coercive and controlling behaviour as a major factor in domestic abuse deaths. She said:
“Over the past four years, coercive and controlling behaviour has consistently been identified as one of the biggest risk factors in relation to deaths caused by domestic abuse perpetrators. As a society, we cannot afford to continue trivialising coercive control when its devastating consequences are so clear.”
She also warned that suicides linked to domestic abuse remain severely underreported, even though they account for the majority of domestic abuse-related deaths. She continued:
“While we welcome the improved recognition, tangible steps must now be taken to better support those experiencing domestic abuse.”
The report further revealed that 67% of domestic homicide perpetrators were already known to the police, and in cases of suspected suicides, almost 90% of victims and/or perpetrators were known to partner agencies. Butt stated:
“These chilling figures highlight the critical need for a multi-agency approach to tackling domestic abuse – in line with the report’s recommendations – alongside an improved police response to reports of abuse.”
Both Women’s Aid and Refuge stressed that children and young people are often overlooked in domestic abuse policies. Currently, those under 16 are not covered by the Domestic Abuse Act, despite experiencing abuse in alarming numbers. Butt said:
“The report’s recommendation for police to consider young people as potential survivors or victims of domestic abuse is crucial in ensuring this age group is included in future efforts to tackle domestic abuse.”
Both organisations have urged the government to act swiftly, warning that more lives will be lost unless funding and systemic changes are made. Davidge said:
“Whilst we welcome the government’s ambition to halve violence against women and girls in a decade, a truly effective response to this national emergency requires sustained, adequate funding for specialist domestic abuse services. Without it, far too many women and children will be left to face their abusers alone, and critical opportunities to prevent and intervene to stop perpetrators will continue to be missed.”
