A study of 200 women’s experiences of domestic violence commissioned by Women’s Aid, found that 60% of the women had left because they feared that they or their children would be killed by the perpetrator. (Humphreys & Thiara, 2002).

In the same study, 76% of separated women suffered post-separation violence. Of these women: 

•  76% were subjected to continued verbal and emotional abuse;
•  41% were subjected to serious threats towards themselves or their children;
• 23% were subjected to physical violence;
•  6% were subjected to sexual violence;
• 36% stated that this violence was ongoing.

In addition to this, more than half of those with post-separation child contact arrangements with an abusive ex-partner continued to have serious, ongoing problems with this contact (Humphreys and Thiara, 2002).

Women are at greatest risk of homicide at the point of separation or after leaving a violent partner. (Lees, 2000).

42% of all female homicide victims, compared with 4% of male homicide victims, were killed by current or former partners in England and Wales in the year 2000/01. This equates to 102 women, an average of 2 women each week (Home Office, 2001).

In a study by Shelter, 40% of all homeless women stated that domestic violence was a contributor to their homelessness. Domestic violence was found to be “the single most quoted reason for becoming homeless” (Cramer and Carter, 2002).

Repeat victimisation is common. 44% are victimised more than once, and almost one in five (18%) are victimised three or more times. (Dodd etal., 2004) An earlier British Crime Survey found even higher rates of repeat victimisation: 57%. (Home Office, July 2002).