Westminster Domestic Violence Forum: Working Definition of Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is essentially a pattern of behaviour which is characterised by the exercise of control and the misuse of power by one person, usually a man, over another, usually a woman, within the context of an intimate relationship.

Domestic violence may be viewed or experienced in varying ways in different communities, but it is unacceptable in every culture and community.

Research Findings:

While domestic abuse is a crime which is perpetrated upon both men and women, statistically 80 per cent of reported domestic abuse victims are women.
(British Crime Survey 2005/06)

Men also experience domestic violence. According to the British Crime Survey 2001/2, 19% of domestic violence incidents were reported to be male victims, with just under half of these perpetrated by women.

Women are, however, more likely to experience repeat victimisation and are more likely to be injured or frightened (men experience less physical assault).
(WPCT Updated Domestic Violence Guidelines, 2007)

At least one in four lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people experience domestic violence in their relationships and from family members.
(Broken Rainbow, 2004)

45% of female homicide victims are killed by a present or former male partner compared with 8% of male homicide victims killed by past or present female partners.
(BMA, 1998)

Around 30 per cent of domestic abuse against women begins during pregnancy.
(BMA June 2007)

In a study of 200 women who had experienced domestic violence, 60% left the perpetrator due to fear that they or their children would be killed.
(Humphreys & Thiara, 2002)

Every minute in the UK, the Police receive a call regarding domestic violence. This is an estimated 1,300 calls each day or over 570,000 each year.
(Stanko, 2000)

However, according to the British Crime Survey, only 40.2% of actual domestic violence crime is reported to the Police.
(Dodd et al, July 2004)

Domestic violence accounts for almost a quarter of all violent crime.
(British Crime Survey England & Wales - Home Office 2000)

Domestic Violence Also Effects Children

One in four children said they had witnessed domestic violence between adult family members
(NSPCC, 2007)