Domestic violence

Domestic violence is a serious crime. It currently claims the lives of an average of two people every week.

One in four women and one in six men will be a victim of domestic violence at some point in their lives. It is a crime which usually happens behind closed doors and many incidents are not reported to the police or other statutory agencies. We are determined to:

• prevent domestic violence happening or re-occurring 
• protect victims and their children
• bring offenders to justice

What is domestic violence?

The Government defines domestic violence as: “Any incident of threatening behaviour, violence or abuse (psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional) between adults who are or have been intimate partners of family members regardless of gender or sexuality.” This includes issues of concern to Black and other Minority Ethnic communities such as ‘honour killings’.

Over the past few years the Government has introduced measures to support victims and encourage them to engage with the criminal justice system and other agencies.


Guidance for practitioners

We have produced the following guidance for practitioners on domestic violence:

• Providing advocacy and support to victims of domestic violence from Black and other Minority Ethnic communities
• Providing advocacy and support to victims of domestic violence
• Providing support to children who have witnessed domestic violence
• The role of health professionals in domestic violence cases
• How to lawfully share personal and sensitive information in domestic violence cases

Key publications

• Tackling Domestic Violence: effective interventions and approaches, Home Office Research Study 290, 2005
• Alcohol and intimate partner violence: key findings from the research, Findings 216, 2004
• Domestic violence offenders: characteristics and offending related needs, Findings 217, 2003

Latest publications

• Homicides, Firearm Offences and Intimate Violence 2007/08 (Supplementary Volume 2 to Crime in England and Wales 2007/08), Home Office Statistical Bulletin 02/09, 2009

See also

• Crime in England and Wales 2007/08

Related links

Measures to support victims:

• Safety and Justice: the Government’s Proposals on Domestic Violence (2003)
• The Domestic Violence Crime and Victims Act 2004 which represents the biggest overhaul of legislation on domestic violence for 30 years.

For practitioners

• Domestic violence mini-site on the Crime Reduction website

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