Women’s Aid responds to the latest NPCC Domestic Homicide Project report
Sarah Davidge, Head of Research and Evaluation at Women’s Aid:
The Domestic Homicide Project’s latest report proves that domestic abuse is a national emergency with a deadly impact on women and children. 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 having decades of lifesaving expertise in violence against women and girls (VAWG), specialist domestic abuse services remain chronically underfunded. 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.
Alarmingly, the report indicates 54% of domestic homicide suspects were already known to the police as perpetrators before the victim’s death. 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.
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.
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