Numbers are weird. They feel cold and distant until you realize they represent real people—your neighbor, that person you saw in the supermarket, maybe even you. When we talk about domestic violence statistics uk, it’s easy to get lost in the sea of percentages. But honestly, the latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) for the year ending March 2025 tells a story that's pretty hard to ignore.
Basically, an estimated 3.8 million people in England and Wales experienced domestic abuse in just those twelve months.
That’s about 7.8% of the adult population. If you’re standing in a room with 13 people, statistically, one of them has dealt with this in the last year. It’s not just a "private matter" or something that happens "somewhere else." It's happening right now, in every postcode across the country.
The Reality Behind the 3.8 Million
When people hear "domestic violence," they usually think of a black eye or a broken bone. But the 2025 data shows that emotional abuse is actually the most common form, affecting 5% of all adults. This is the stuff that doesn't leave a bruise but leaves you feeling like a shell of yourself.
We’re talking about coercive control, being isolated from friends, or having your phone checked every five minutes. Economic abuse is another big one, hitting about 2.7% of people. It’s incredibly hard to leave when you don't have access to your own bank account or you're buried in debt your partner took out in your name.
Who is most at risk?
It’s a misconception that this only happens to a specific "type" of person. However, the stats do show some pretty clear patterns.
- Women are disproportionately affected: 2.2 million women compared to 1.5 million men.
- Younger people are struggling: Those aged 16 to 19 (18.2%) and 20 to 24 (12.9%) report much higher rates than older age groups.
- The "Ex" factor: You might think leaving solves everything, but 5% of people reported abuse from an ex-partner, compared to 1.7% from a current partner.
The gap between what happens and what gets reported is massive. Police recorded 816,493 domestic abuse-related crimes in the year ending March 2025. That sounds like a lot, right? But compare it to the 3.8 million estimate from the Crime Survey. Only a fraction of victims ever talk to the police.
The Justice Gap: Referrals and Convictions
If you do decide to report it, what happens next? The system is... well, it’s complicated.
Referrals from the police to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) actually went up to 76,393 this year. That's a 5.2% increase. The CPS is charging more people too—53,919 suspects were charged. But here's the kicker: the conviction rate slightly dipped to 74.7%.
Why? It’s rarely because someone lied. It's usually because cases fall apart. Survivors might feel too terrified to testify, or there’s just not enough "hard evidence" for a courtroom. About 20% of cases that reached a conclusion had "evidential difficulties" even when the victim was fully supportive of the prosecution. It's frustratingly common.
The Hidden Toll on Children
We often forget that kids aren't just "witnesses"—they are victims in their own right. The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 finally recognized this legally, but the numbers are still gut-wrenching. In 2024-25, Refuge reported that children made up almost half of the residents in their shelters.
Think about that. Thousands of kids starting their lives in emergency housing because home wasn't safe. Women's Aid NI pointed out that in their refuges alone, 46% of the children were under the age of five. That’s a lot of toddlers spending their formative years in a crisis center.
Why the Numbers Might Actually Be Higher
The ONS is great, but even they admit their data has limits.
For one, the 2025 survey used a "split sample" which means the sample size was smaller than usual. They’ve urged caution when looking at the finer details. Also, these surveys struggle to reach the most marginalized—people with no recourse to public funds, those in prison, or people in care homes.
Charities like Imece Women’s Centre have highlighted that for marginalized survivors, the barriers are even higher. In 2024, they saw a 67.6% increase in women needing support who couldn't find a single refuge vacancy. When the system is full, people end up staying with their abusers or, as 8.8% of these women did, sleeping rough.
Moving Beyond the Spreadsheet
Statistics are just the starting point. If you or someone you know is part of these numbers, "actionable insights" feel a bit clinical, but they matter.
1. Documentation is your best friend. If it’s safe, keep a log. Not just of physical incidents, but of the "small" things. The texts where they call you names, the times they took your car keys, the nights they wouldn't let you sleep. If you ever decide to go to the CPS, this paper trail is gold.
2. The 999 "Silent Solution". If you need the police but can't talk, dial 999 and then press 55. It tells the operator you’re in danger but can’t speak. This is a literal lifesaver that surprisingly few people know about.
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3. Use the "Ask for ANI" scheme. If you can get to a pharmacy (like Boots or many independents), ask for "ANI" (pronounced Annie). They will take you to a private room and help you call a helpline or the police.
4. Check for Specialist Support. Standard services don't always "get it" for everyone. Organizations like Galop (for LGBTQI+ survivors) or SignHealth (for Deaf survivors) offer tailored help that accounts for specific barriers you might face.
The 2025 domestic violence statistics uk show we are in what many experts call an "epidemic." But numbers change when people get help. Whether it’s calling the National Domestic Abuse Helpline (0808 2000 247) or just telling a trusted friend, the first step is always the hardest—but it’s the one that moves you out of the "victim" column and into the "survivor" one.