Nature and Impact

A study of 200 women's experience 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 subject to continued verbal and emotional abuse;

- 41% were subjected to serious threats towards themselves or their children;

- 23% were subjected to sexual violence;

- 36% stated that this violence was ongoing.

In a 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 violence 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 et al., 2004). An earlier British Crime Survey found even higher rates of repeat victimisation: 57%. (Home Office, July 2002).

Men are less likely to have been repeat victims of domestic assault, less likely to be seriously injured and less likely to report fearful in their own homes. (Scottish Executive Central Research Unit, 2002).

Nearly 1 in 5 counselling sessions held in Relate Centres in England on 28/09/2000 mentioned domestic violence as an issue in the marriage. (Stanko, 2000).