One in ten adults experienced domestic abuse in past year

Summarised from 3 outlets · 6 reports · Updated 22 Oct, 14:58 · Archive

Domestic abuse among English and Welsh adults rose to 9.6% in the year to March 2026, up from 7.8% the previous year.

The Office for National Statistics survey found that 9.6% of adults in England and Wales experienced domestic abuse in the year to March 2026, representing about 4.7 million people. This marked an increase from 7.8% in the previous year, when 3.8 million adults were affected. The rise was driven primarily by intimate partner abuse, which increased to 7.9% from 6.1%.

The survey also found that 2.1% of people experienced sexual victimisation and 3.9% experienced stalking. Women were disproportionately affected, with 12.8% of women experiencing at least one of these crimes, compared with 8.9% of men.

Charities expressed concern at the figures. Katie Kempen, chief executive of Victim Support, said the rise in partner abuse was 'a huge concern and should be a stark wake-up call'. Charities said the figures indicated the government was 'not on track to fulfil its pledge' to halve violence against women and girls within a decade, suggesting bolder action and sustained investment across the criminal justice system would be needed.

How it is being reported

• Rise in domestic abuse sparks concerns government ‘not on track’ to hit targetAround 4.7 million people aged 16 and above experienced domestic abuse in the year up to March (Picture: Getty Images) A rise in the number of people who have experienced domestic abuse may signal trouble for the government’s target of halving violence against women and girls, a charity has…Metro · 22 Oct, 16:28
• ‘Significant increase’ in adults experiencing domestic abuse – surveySome 9.6% of people aged 16 and over are estimated to have been the victim of domestic abuse in the year to March 2026.Evening Standard · 22 Oct, 14:45
• One in 10 adults in England and Wales experienced domestic abuse in last year, ONS findsCharities say ‘tip of iceberg’ figures show government is not fulfilling pledge to halve violence against women and girls Almost one in 10 adults in England and Wales have experienced domestic abuse in the last year, a survey from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has found. The Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) found that 9.6% of people aged 16 and over had experienced domestic abuse in the last year – which equates to about 4.7 million people. Continue reading...The Guardian · 22 Oct, 14:36
• ‘Significant increase’ in adults experiencing domestic abuse – surveySome 9.6% of people aged 16 and over are estimated to have been the victim of domestic abuse in the year to March 2026.Evening Standard · 22 Oct, 11:40
• ‘Significant increase’ in adults experiencing domestic abuse – surveySome 9.6% of people aged 16 and over are estimated to have been the victim of domestic abuse in the year to March 2026.Evening Standard · 22 Oct, 10:01
• ‘Significant increase’ in adults experiencing domestic abuse – surveySome 9.6% of people aged 16 and over are estimated to have been the victim of domestic abuse in the year to March 2026.Evening Standard · 22 Oct, 09:37

In this story: Office for National Statistics · England and Wales · Victim Support · Katie Kempen

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem