Refuge responds to latest ONS Crime Survey

Responding to the latest ONS Crime Survey for England and Wales, Abigail Ampofo, interim CEO of Refuge, said: 

“Whilst today’s data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) suggests a decline in domestic abuse rates, make no mistake – we are still facing an epidemic of violence against women and girls (VAWG).

“Data for the year ending September 2024 found 4.5% of people aged 16 years and over have experienced domestic abuse in the past year, compared to 5.4% in the YE March 2024. However, domestic abuse rarely happens in isolation, and new Home Office rules introduced in summer 2023 instructed police to record only one crime for each report made by a victim or survivor. This change may create a misleading impression that VAWG is on the decline, when in fact, it is still rife.

“At Refuge, we know that data on domestic abuse is notoriously inconsistent and often represents just the tip of the iceberg, as women face a myriad of barriers when reporting to the police. The devastating lack of confidence in the justice system, coupled with recent changes to police recording practices, underscores the harsh reality that domestic abuse is not going away.

“Last week’s report by Dame Nicole Jacobs, ‘Shifting the scales: Transforming the criminal justice response to domestic abuse’, revealed fewer than 20% of survivors feel able to go to the police due to concerns their reports will not be taken seriously. Survivors are being let down by the criminal justice system every day, and the Government risks failing in its pledge to halve VAWG within a decade if it does not urgently address these critical shortcomings.

“Alongside an overhaul of the justice system, we have been clear that increased funding for domestic abuse services is vital to achieve this goal. With the Spring Budget fast approaching, we urge the Government to allocate ring-fenced, multi-year and sustainable funding for specialist organisations to ensure as many survivors as possible can access lifesaving support.”