An estimated 9.6% of people aged 16 and over in England and Wales experienced domestic abuse in the year to March 2026, equating to around 4.7 million people, according to a new survey by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
This marks an increase from 7.8%, or around 3.8 million people, in the year ending March 2025. The ONS described the rise as a “significant increase” that indicates “real change” in the prevalence of domestic abuse.
Partner abuse drives the rise
The increase has been driven by a rise in partner abuse, experienced by 7.9% of people aged 16 and over in the latest figures, compared with 6.1% in the previous year.
Katie Kempen, chief executive at charity Victim Support, said: “The rise in partner abuse in the last year is a huge concern and should be a stark wake-up call.”
“These figures show the government’s laudable aim of halving violence against women and girls (VAWG) within a decade is at risk, and may not be realised without bolder action and sustained investment across all parts of the criminal justice system.”
Survey changes and real change
The ONS noted that some “minor changes” to the way the survey is carried out are likely to have influenced the size of the increase. However, their best assessment is that there has been a genuine rise in the level of domestic abuse.
While partner abuse has increased, figures for family abuse are broadly similar, at 2.8% of adults in the year to March 2026, compared with 2.7% in the previous 12 months.
Meghan Elkin, ONS head of crime statistics, said: “While minor survey changes and the usual uncertainty around gathering data on this sensitive topic are likely to have affected these estimates, our assessment is that the rise in domestic abuse includes real change.”
Combined abuse measures and government response
The ONS has also published new estimates of the combined prevalence of domestic abuse, sexual assault and stalking, which is the main measure for the Government to track its efforts to halve the level of violence against women and girls by 2034.
Some 12.8% of females aged 16 and over in England and Wales – around 3.2 million people – are likely to have experienced domestic abuse, sexual victimisation or stalking in the year to March 2026. The figure is lower for males, at 8.9% (around 2.1 million).
These estimates are based on a new survey question and are currently not comparable with previous data. The ONS will publish an assessment in December on whether a comparison can be made.
A Home Office spokesman said: “The scale of domestic abuse in this country is completely shocking, but we are determined to tackle it.”
“We are embedding domestic abuse specialists in 999 control rooms and rolling out pioneering domestic abuse protection orders, to ensure victims have the protection they need. Backed by £53 million, we are rolling out the pioneering Drive Project, to tackle the highest-harm perpetrators, stop reoffending and protect victims – all part of mission to halve violence against women and girls in a decade.”
