10/01/2017
Figures released by the Crime Survey of England and Wales (CSEW) have revealed that police forces across England and Wales recorded 1.03 million domestic abuse-related incidents in the year ending March 2016. Following investigations, the police concluded that the number of domestic abuse-related criminal offences committed was approximately four in every 10 (41%) of these incidents (421,000).
Domestic abuse-related crimes recorded by the police accounted for approximately one in 10 of all crimes, with women more likely to report having experienced domestic abuse and 78% of cases consisting of violence against the person offences.
The decision to charge offenders was made on 70% of the domestic abuse-related cases referred to the Crown Prosecution Service CPS), with convictions secured on three-quarters of prosecutions brought. Of the cases referred to the CPS, 68% of defendants pleaded guilty.
Despite the figurers being at their lowest since the year ending March 2005, 53% of unsuccessful prosecutions were due to victim retraction, victim non-attendance or evidence that the victim didn’t support the case. It’s believed that one of reasons behind this was due to the level of fear and control exerted by the perpetrator.
If you, or someone you know, are the victim of domestic abuse we can help. We can provide advice on your legal position and link you with organisations and agencies that can assist in other areas of your life so that the process of leaving an abusive partner is made that little bit easier.
Please note that this article is meant as general guidance and not intended as legal or professional advice. Updates to the law may have changed since this article was published.