Domestic abuse victims urged to get help this Christmas as Dorset reports double
20% of offences recorded by Dorset Police last were domestic abuse related
Domestic abuse crimes soared in Dorset over the last six years – and almost 10,000 were recorded during the first year of the coronavirus pandemic.
Nearly 850,000 such crimes were reported to police across England and Wales last year, and that is merely "the tip of the iceberg", according to charity Women's Aid.
Rates for many other crimes dropped during a year that included coronavirus restrictions and national lockdowns, yet domestic abuse rose by 6% nationally.
Home Office data shows 9,159 offences were recorded by Dorset Police in 2020-21, making up 20% of all offences recorded that year.
That is the equivalent of 12 for every 1,000 people in the area, the same rate as in the previous year.
But the area has seen an 85% rise in domestic abuse offences since 4,961 were logged in 2015-16, when records began.
The data shows women are disproportionately more likely to experience abuse and they have accounted for more than three-quarters of those killed in domestic homicides since 2018 nationally – two women were killed in Dorset in that time.
Farah Nazeer, chief executive of Women's Aid, said to tackle domestic abuse, society must work together to tackle the "inherent sexism and misogyny which underpin women's inequality and violence against them".
She said: "Women will not report domestic abuse if they aren’t confident they will be believed and action will be taken on their behalf.
"We all have a part to play in unlearning sexism."
The figures suggest most cases of domestic abuse will not see perpetrators charged, with just 8% of cases concluded nationally last year resulting in a charge or summons.
Cases handled by Dorset Police were more likely with a suspect before the courts, with 10% concluding with a charge or summons.
Ms Nazeer said work was needed to restore faith in policing after more than three quarters of investigations were dropped due to evidential difficulties nationally – more than half because the victim pulled out of the investigation.
In Dorset, 75% of cases were closed due to problems gathering evidence in 2020-21, with 54% abandoned because the victim did not wish to support the investigation.
The National Police Chiefs' Council lead for domestic abuse, assistant commissioner Louisa Rolfe, said the "complex and entrenched societal problem" was a policing priority and highlighted an increased number of victims reporting abuse in recent years.
She said forces could still pursue cases to keep victims safe, even when they are reluctant to support prosecution but said arresting offenders was a temporary respite from the problem.
She called for a multi-agency approach to provide effective and sustainable support and solutions.
A Home Office spokeswoman said the Government is committed to ending violence against women and girls, and said its landmark Domestic Abuse Act would improve victim support and strengthen legislation.
She said funding had been doubled for 2021-22 to £25 million in an effort to tackle perpetrators.
HOW TO GET HELP THIS CHRISTMAS
Get in touch with the Paragon Dorset team
Phone: 0800 032 5204
Email: ParagonDorset@theyoutrust.org.uk