Domestic abuse figures soar in Hampshire but experts reveal a promising picture as victims speak up

Stop Domestic Abuse is the commissioned service for Hampshire and the team supports thousands of people each year dealing with domestic violence.
Pictured: The team at Stop Domestic Abuse — Stop Domestic Abuse is the commissioned service for Hampshire and the team supports thousands of people each year dealing with domestic violence. Pictured: The team at Stop Domestic Abuse

The bravery of the victims of domestic abuse are laying the foundations for a positive future for others following a surge in reports.

The news comes in the wake of a heartbreaking case in which a victim of domestic violence took her own life following years of abuse – prompting her family to urge others in the same situation to seek help.

The number of recorded domestic abuse incidents has increased by 27.5 percent since 2017/18 where the number stood at 34,927 for Hampshire. This current year to date, the data has climbed significantly, reaching 44,534 incidents in total - but experts within the local authorities and charities explain that this could pave the way to a brighter future for victims.

Despite alarming figures depicting the increase in reports of domestic incidents, officials say this is because more and more victims are finding the courage to seek help. The numbers are also a decrease of 3.9 percent of incidents over the last 12 months which follows a national trend with more people coming forward sooner.

Shonagh Dillon, chief executive of Aurora New Dawn.

Picture: Sarah Standing — Shonagh Dillon, chief executive of Aurora New Dawn. Picture: Sarah Standing

A domestic incident is defined as an incident that the police have been made aware of via a report, about a possible crime, but it is clear from the outset or after further enquiries that no crime has been committed. In contrast a crime relates to an incident where it has been ascertained, via evidence, that criminal offences have been committed.

In relation to domestic abuse, Formal Action Taken refers to whether someone has been charged/summonsed, given a caution or youth caution, given a Community Resolution Order or issued with a Domestic Violence Protection Notice / Order.

Detective Chief Superintendent Fiona Bitters, domestic abuse lead for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, said: “In the last 12 months, we have seen a decrease in domestic-related incidents (-3.9 percent) and a further decrease in repeat incidents (-10.8 per cent) across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight – which follows a similar trend being seen at a national level.

“We are absolutely clear that we do not tolerate any form of domestic abuse or violence We will do everything in our power to identify offenders, engage with our victims and pursue an appropriate outcome.

Domestic violence is one of the most common types of crimes that affect men and women each year. The data demonstrates how the victims of domestic abuse tend to be women in comparison to men and that 10.2 percent of people aged between 20 and 24 experience domestic abuse.

The source of the information is the Office for National Statistics with up-to-date data from the year ending March 2022. — Domestic violence is one of the most common types of crimes that affect men and women each year. The data demonstrates how the victims of domestic abuse tend to be women in comparison to men and that 10.2 percent of people aged between 20 and 24 experience domestic abuse. The source of the information is the Office for National Statistics with up-to-date data from the year ending March 2022.

“We know that a large number of domestic-related incidents cases are not prosecuted due to the incredibly complex nature of the circumstances that have usually occurred in the privacy of a home.

“We are fully committed to identifying children and adults who are living with violence and abuse, and increasing their trust and confidence to report domestic related incidents.”

Domestic abuse currently accounts for just over a quarter of all crimes in Hampshire for the current year, 20,607 of which are repeat incidents.

On February 1, 2023, Chloe Holland, Portsmouth, took her own life after being abused by her partner over the course of a year. During that time, she was isolated by him, controlled, assaulted on numerous occasions and manipulated continuously. Her perpetrator has been sentenced to 41 months in prison for controlling and coercive behaviour.