The Office for National Statistics has today published figures on domestic abuse from the Crime Survey for England and Wales, police-recorded crime and other organisations.

Responding, Victim Support Chief Executive Katie Kempen said:

“These figures are a devastating reminder that domestic abuse remains one of the most pervasive crimes in our society, with 3.8 million people affected in the past year, and a quarter of adults – 12.5 million people – having experienced it since the age of 16. Domestic abuse is not just a criminal issue, but a public health emergency and a human rights violation – we cannot allow these numbers to become normalised.

“While prosecutions have risen, the reality is that thousands of victims still face unacceptable barriers to justice and safety. We call on the government to provide urgent, sustained investment in specialist services – including Independent Domestic Violence Advisers and community-based victim support services – which remain critically below recommended levels. Every victim has the right to safety, support, and justice, regardless of where they live.”

If you’ve been affected by domestic abuse, we can help.