Domestic abuse cases rose by almost a quarter in 2018… but analysts say the increase is because police are taking more notice of complaints and victims are more willing to come forward
- Figures show that domestic abuse incidents rose by almost 25 per cent last year
- Number of cases referred for charges fell by 11 per cent to 98,470 from 110,653
- But study says real level of domestic violence may have fallen in past 15 years
The number of domestic abuse incidents recorded as crimes rose by almost a quarter last year, analysis showed.
But the sharp increase was a result of police taking more notice of domestic violence complaints and the growing willingness of victims to come forward.
In fact, the study by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the real level of domestic violence may have fallen over the past 15 years.
![Almost six in 100 people suffered domestic abuse, the great majority of them non-sexual abuse. Around one in 100 people were stalked, the survey found, and fewer than one in 200 were sexually assaulted in their homes [File photo]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/09/29/01/19059970-7516419-image-a-23_1569716813438.jpg)
Almost six in 100 people suffered domestic abuse, the great majority of them non-sexual abuse. Around one in 100 people were stalked, the survey found, and fewer than one in 200 were sexually assaulted in their homes [File photo]
Although there were 1,316,800 domestic abuse-related incidents and crimes, the number of cases referred to the Crown Prosecution Service for charges fell by 11 per cent to 98,470 from 110,653.
The report said official crime rates show no increase in domestic violence over the past year.
It indicated almost six in 100 people suffered domestic abuse, the great majority of them non-sexual abuse.
![Although there were 1,316,800 domestic abuse-related incidents and crimes, the number of cases referred to the Crown Prosecution Service for charges fell by 11 per cent to 98,470 from 110,653 [File photo]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/11/26/00/21465348-7725361-image-a-66_1574729396078.jpg)
Although there were 1,316,800 domestic abuse-related incidents and crimes, the number of cases referred to the Crown Prosecution Service for charges fell by 11 per cent to 98,470 from 110,653 [File photo]
Around one in 100 people were stalked, the survey found, and fewer than one in 200 were sexually assaulted in their homes.
The ONS said: ‘Some of this increase may be driven by general police improvements in offence recording, as well as an increase in domestic abuse-related incidents coming to their attention.’
The increase could be due to improvements in the way police record offences as well as a rise in the number of victims coming forward, the ONS said.
The news comes on the International Day For The Elimination Of Violence Against Women and follows a study commissioned by Vodafone which indicated more than half a million working women in the UK were subjected to domestic violence and abuse in the past year.
The sharp increase was a result of police taking more notice of domestic violence complaints and the growing willingness of victims to come forward. In fact, the study by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the real level of domestic violence may have fallen over the past 15 years [File photo]