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Domestic abuse convictions for women have tripled

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March 28, 2024

The number of women convicted of domestic abuse increased by more than 300 per cent between 2005 and 2015.

New data from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)shows 5,641 convictions of women for outburts in the home last year – well over three times the number convicted in 2006 (1,850).

The figures were released in a response to a parliamentary question by Tory MP Philip Davies, who controversially claimed last month that the justice system treats women more leniently than men.

The CPS did not specify whether the prosecutions were for abuse of other men or other women, or whether the offences had involved partners or family members. The legal definition of domestic abuse now includes both physical violence and emotional coercion.

Despite the pronounced rise, the newly released figure still represents only a small proportion of the number of men convicted of abuse and violence in the home. But Mr Davies said it was evidence of indicated a clear social trend which deserved attention.

“We must not forget the male victims. Both male and female perpetrators of domestic violence should be dealt with equally harshly by the courts and more should be done to help victims of domestic violence whether they are men or women.”

According to the most recent Crime Survey of England and Wales, just over eight per cent of women and four per cent of men report having experienced domestic abuse of some kind. But the survey’s emphasis on in-person interviews at home has been criticised by sociologists for encouraging underreporting of these painful experiences, The Independent reports.

The Crime Survey of England and Wales is published by the Office for National Statistics.

The blog team at Stowe is a group of writers based across our family law offices who share their advice on the wellbeing and emotional aspects of divorce or separation from personal experience. As well as pieces from our family law solicitors, guest contributors also regularly contribute to share their knowledge.

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Comments(2)

  1. Douglas Milnes says:

    It is interesting to note that even with this increase, the number of convictions goes nowhere near yet the ratio of one female convicted per two males: the minimum ratio indicated by the Crime Survey and by research in the UK and other western nations.

    Despite the calls to silence Philip Davies for speaking out about what government statistics show, he is thankfully holding true to his exposé. We are all too used to lying politicians, so anyone who wishes to congratulate one for telling the uncomfortable truth, can sign a petiton here:
    tinyurl.com/LegalEquality

  2. spinner says:

    I saw an article saying there were 7,500 places for female victims of domestic violence in the UK and 20 for men. Men are expected to just suck it up, same with everything family related and does anyone really wonder why the relative suicide rate for men is so much higher.

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