- Each year around 2.1m people suffer some form of domestic abuse – 1.4 million women (8.5% of the population) and 700,000 men (4.5% of the population)
- 1.6 women a week – or 7 a month – are killed by a current or ex-partner in England and Wales
- 68% of victims of Honour Abuse or Forced Marriage are at risk of serious harm or death
- Over 80% of high-risk victims report experiencing physical abuse
- Nearly 90% of high-risk victims report experiencing emotional abuse and/or coercive control (jealous and controlling behaviours)
- Approximately 42% of domestic violence victims have been victimised more than once. Victims experience an average of 20 incidents of domestic violence in a year, which can often increase in severity each time
- As well as short term injuries, victims of abuse suffer long-term physical health consequences. Health conditions associated with abuse include: asthma, bladder and kidney infections, cardiovascular disease, fibromyalgia, chronic pain syndromes, central nervous system disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, migraines/headaches
- Domestic abuse has significant psychological consequences for victims, including anxiety, depression, suicidal behaviour, low self-esteem, inability to trust others, flashbacks, sleep disturbances and emotional detachment
- Domestic abuse victims are at risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) – as many as two-thirds of victims of abuse (64%) developed PTSD in one study
- Between 30 and 60% of psychiatric in-patients had experienced severe domestic abuse