Millions more adults in England and Wales are believed to have experienced domestic abuse since the age of 16, after the Office for National Statistics (ONS) overhauled its crime survey. They added new questions covering topics like controlling and coercive behaviour and the harm it causes. This means that more than 12m people are thought to have suffered abusive behaviour from family members or partners, up from 10m in older figures. The new data, for the year ending March 2024, gives the most detailed picture yet of how common different types of abusive behaviour are, suggesting 18% of adults have suffered emotional abuse and 12% economic abuse. Not all abusive behaviours cross the line into criminal levels of domestic abuse, researchers warned. Data on the severity of abuse was not published on Friday, but is expected in November. The figures were published on the same day as areport from MPscalling for better data on violence against women and girls (VAWG). The Public Accounts Committee highlighted the need for improved information on how much violence women and girls face, on the needs of support services, evidence on the interventions that reduce violence and co-ordination across government departments to halve VAWG. The Home Office said the new data is "essential to help us better understand the scale of domestic abuse and how we halve violence against women and girls". Domestic abuse charity Women's Aid, which helped the ONS and University of Bristol develop the new questions has welcomed the change. "Women's Aid has for many years been concerned that the questions in the survey have failed to adequately capture the lived experience of victim-survivors of domestic abuse" said Sarika Seshadri, their Head of Research and Evaluation. The definition of domestic abuse in law has changed a lot over the past decade. Coercive control was first made a crime in 2015, years before the 2021 Domestic Abuse Act explicitly defined some of its major forms, including economic abuse. The ONS adapted its gold-standard crime survey to reflect the shift in understanding of abuse and better reflect the experiences of survivors. Some of the new questions ask about manipulative behaviour, including whether a partner or family member had tried to convince the respondent's friends they were "crazy"; acted in an "overly jealous way"; or had threatened to hurt or kill themselves if the respondent did not do what they wanted. The new survey also asks if a family member or partner had threatened to discredit the respondent using sensitive personal information, such as their sexuality or immigration status. Answers were collected privately using tablets, unlike the spoken interviews used for other crimes. According to the new data, about 12.6 million people in England and Wales - 26% of the population - had experienced abusive behaviours by family or partners since age of 16, including 30% of women and 22% of men. These figures did not account for the number of incidents or harm suffered. Women are more often the target of repeated or more severe abuse. More than three-quarters of the 108 domestic homicide victims in the year to March 2024 were women.
Millions more counted as domestic abuse victims as definition widens
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"ONS Data Shows Rise in Domestic Abuse Victims Following Definition Changes"
Bbc News
8.5
TruthLens AI Summary
Recent data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveals a significant increase in the number of adults in England and Wales who are identified as having experienced domestic abuse since the age of 16. The updated crime survey now includes new questions that address various forms of abusive behavior, including controlling and coercive actions, which has led to an estimate of over 12 million individuals affected, up from 10 million in previous statistics. This new dataset, covering the year ending March 2024, highlights that 18% of adults have experienced emotional abuse and 12% have faced economic abuse. It is important to note that not all abusive behaviors classified in the survey meet the legal definition of domestic abuse, and while the severity of abuse data will be released in November, the current figures provide a clearer understanding of the prevalence and nature of such behaviors among the population.
The release of this data coincides with a report from the Public Accounts Committee, which emphasizes the necessity for improved statistics on violence against women and girls (VAWG). The committee advocates for better data collection on the violence faced by women and girls, the requirements of support services, and effective interventions to mitigate this violence. The Home Office has acknowledged the significance of these new findings in comprehending the full scale of domestic abuse and addressing VAWG effectively. Women's Aid, a domestic abuse charity involved in developing the new survey questions, has expressed approval of the changes, noting that previous survey questions did not adequately capture the experiences of survivors. The evolving legal definitions of domestic abuse over the past decade, particularly the criminalization of coercive control in 2015 and the explicit recognition of economic abuse in the 2021 Domestic Abuse Act, underscore the importance of updating data collection methods to reflect the realities faced by victims. The survey's innovative approach, which utilized private tablet responses rather than spoken interviews, aims to create a safer environment for respondents to share their experiences candidly.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article explores significant changes in the reporting and understanding of domestic abuse in England and Wales, particularly following a revision of the crime survey by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). This revision has resulted in the identification of millions more individuals who have experienced domestic abuse, reflecting a broader and more comprehensive definition of what constitutes such abuse.
Purpose of the Article
The primary aim appears to be raising awareness about the prevalence of domestic abuse by providing updated statistics that include previously overlooked forms of abuse, such as controlling behaviors and economic abuse. By emphasizing the increase in reported cases, the article underscores the importance of recognizing these behaviors as harmful and worthy of attention. This could also serve to advocate for better policies and resources to combat domestic abuse, aligning with the calls for improved data and support services.
Public Perception and Awareness
The article aims to shift public perception by highlighting the extent of domestic abuse and its various forms. By revealing that over 12 million people are estimated to have suffered abuse, the narrative seeks to foster a sense of urgency and empathy within the community. This approach may encourage societal support for victims and a demand for systemic changes in how domestic abuse is addressed.
Potential Omissions
While the article provides important statistics, it notably lacks details on the severity of the abuse reported. This omission raises questions about the nature of the reported experiences and whether they warrant criminal intervention. By not addressing this aspect, the article may unintentionally downplay the gravity of certain situations, possibly leading to misunderstandings about the true nature of domestic abuse.
Connection to Broader Issues
The publishing of this data coincides with ongoing discussions regarding violence against women and girls (VAWG). The article connects the increase in domestic abuse awareness with broader societal issues, suggesting a growing recognition of VAWG and the necessity for coordinated responses from government bodies. This alignment could be interpreted as an effort to unify various advocacy campaigns under a common goal of reducing violence against vulnerable populations.
Impact on Society and Policy
The implications of this article could be significant for societal attitudes toward domestic abuse and the policies that support victims. By presenting a clearer picture of the issue, it may influence public discourse and prompt governmental action. The emphasis on the need for better data and support services could lead to enhanced funding for domestic abuse programs and initiatives aimed at prevention and intervention.
Target Audience
This article seems to resonate more with advocacy groups, policymakers, and individuals directly affected by domestic abuse. It also targets the general public to foster awareness and empathy towards victims. By framing the conversation around domestic abuse in a more inclusive manner, the article encourages broader societal engagement in the issue.
Market and Economic Implications
While the article primarily focuses on social issues, it could indirectly affect sectors related to social services, mental health, and legal support. Increased awareness may lead to a higher demand for services that assist victims of domestic abuse, potentially impacting organizations that provide these services.
Global Context and Relevance
In the context of global discussions on gender violence and human rights, this article contributes to an ongoing dialogue regarding the necessity for systemic change. The framing of domestic abuse as a widespread societal issue aligns with international movements advocating for women's rights and safety, making it relevant to current global events.
Use of AI in Reporting
It is possible that AI was utilized in the drafting of this article, particularly in analyzing data trends and generating accessible summaries of complex information. Models that process statistical data and generate coherent narratives could have contributed to the article's structure and presentation. If AI was involved, it may have influenced the tone and emphasis on certain statistics to align with advocacy goals.
The analysis reveals that the article serves as a significant resource for understanding domestic abuse, while also seeking to manipulate public perception towards greater awareness and action. The overall trustworthiness of the article is bolstered by the use of official statistics and the endorsement of reputable organizations, although the lack of detail regarding severity could lead to misinterpretations.