Data Indicates Low Conviction Rates for Domestic Abuse Cases

Government figures suggest that fewer than half of domestic abuse cases in England and Wales are ultimately recorded as crimes by the police, and the majority of these recorded cases do not proceed to prosecution. The Crime Survey for England and Wales estimated that 2.3 million individuals were victims of domestic abuse in the year leading up to March 2024. Women comprised just over two-thirds of these victims, while 712,000 were men. Research conducted by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported that 1.4 million domestic abuse incidents were documented by police, and of these, 39,000 resulted in criminal convictions. This information emerges concurrently with the announcement of pilot schemes for more stringent domestic violence orders. However, charities caution that these orders are frequently worth “little more than the paper they are written on” unless police and the courts take action on them. The pilot programs for enhanced Domestic Abuse Protection Notices and Orders (DAPNs and DAPOs) were legislated for by the previous government in 2021 and are set to be trialled in Greater Manchester, three London boroughs, and with the British Transport Police. Further pilots are scheduled for Cleveland and North Wales in early 2025, preceding a national rollout. Jess Phillips, the minister whose portfolio includes safeguarding and violence against women and girls, stated that the initiative would consolidate the most effective elements of existing orders into a flexible framework to “ensure more victims receive the robust protection they deserve.” Domestic abuse commissioner Nicole Jacobs explained that the new orders can be imposed by any court and integrate powers from other protective orders to offer “flexible and long-term protection” for victims. Crucially, breaching the order would be classified as a criminal offense rather than a civil one. These orders are designed to encompass all forms of domestic abuse and, unlike some orders that are valid for only 28 days, will not have any time restrictions. In addition to imposing exclusion zones, the orders can mandate requirements for abusers, such as participation in behavior change programs. Non-compliance with these requirements will constitute a criminal offense, punishable by up to five years in prison. Family courts will also be empowered to impose electronic tagging for a maximum of 12 months in the most serious cases, a measure previously only available through criminal courts or the police. Friends and family members will also be able to apply for an order on a victim’s behalf. Domestic abuse charities welcomed the introduction of the orders but stressed the need for increased awareness and training within police forces and the courts. ONS analysis indicated that police recorded approximately 1.4 million domestic abuse-related incidents and crimes in the year to March 2024. Of these, 500,000 were categorized as incidents and 850,000 as crimes. From these, there were 73,000 referrals to the Crown Prosecution Service and 49,000 criminal charges. Approximately 39,000 criminal convictions occurred within the same period. While an individual may be convicted of multiple crimes and cases can take time to progress through the courts, this figure suggests that fewer than one in 60 people who reported experiencing abuse in the survey were likely to see someone convicted. Abigail Ampofo, interim chief executive of the charity Refuge, commented that the orders would provide police and other agencies with additional tools to implement measures to protect survivors of domestic abuse. However, she added: “However, we know there are a myriad of issues when it comes to police using their powers to protect survivors and hold perpetrators to account. So often survivors tell us that the police don’t act on breaches of these orders, and they are often worth ‘little more than the paper they are written on’.” Refuge noted that a previous super-complaint by the Centre for Women’s Justice found that Domestic Violence Protection Orders had been obtained in an average of 1% of domestic abuse cases. Ms. Ampofo stated: “For DAPOs to work and provide survivors with real protections from abusers we need a real sea change in internal policing culture and the police forces response to domestic abuse overall.” Women’s Aid supported the criminalization of DAPOs but expressed a strong desire for more police training and improved coordination within the courts. “You need for survivors to have faith that these orders will protect them,” said policy director Sophie Francis-Cansfield. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.