Domestic abuse offences across Cornwall and Devon almost double in six years
Data shows almost 21,000 were recorded by our police, making up 23% of all crimes
Last updated 6th Dec 2021
Domestic abuse crimes almost doubled in Devon and Cornwall over the last six years – and tens of thousands were recorded during the first year of the coronavirus pandemic, figures show.
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.
What do the figures show?
Home Office data shows 20,905 offences were recorded by Devon and Cornwall Police in 2020-21, making up 23% 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 a 97% rise in domestic abuse offences since 10,613 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 – seven women were killed in Devon and Cornwall 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 Devon and Cornwall Police were even less likely to end with a suspect before the courts, with 6% 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 Devon and Cornwall, 76% of cases were closed due to problems gathering evidence in 2020-21, with 43% 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.
A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police said:
"Devon & Cornwall Police continues to work to ensure that its approach to investigating domestic is victim focused, ensuring that the best possible outcomes are achieved whilst supporting the victim through direct support and signposting to support services.
"Therefore anyone who is affected by domestic abuse in any form can have the confidence to report it either to the police or, if that is not the best route in the first instance for victims, through one of our partner agencies who can support them. In an emergency always call 999. In non-urgent situations use one of the contact methods that can be found on the Devon & Cornwall Police website www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/contact where you will also find information about partner support agencies www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/advice/threat-assault-abuse
"The unprecedented conditions of lockdowns and general reduced movement and communication, due to the coronavirus pandemic during 2020 -21, undoubtedly caused a perfect storm of some of the triggers to domestic abuse: close and enforced proximity and reduced opportunity for victims to reach out for help. These factors may have contribute to increases in reporting, as reduced restrictions have led to reporting of historic incidents later in 2020 and into this year.
"Devon & Cornwall Police made domestic abuse a Force priority in the Spring of 2019 and is engaged in an ongoing programme of improvements to both victim support and perpetrator management prior to the pandemic. In broad terms the areas addressed are: working effectively with the Criminal Justice system to ensure that every reported incident of domestic abuse receives an improved response that speeds up the process of bringing perpetrators to justice and does not dissuade victims from embarking on the process, and ensuring that victims of domestic abuse have access to multi-agency victim support.
"Devon & Cornwall Police has also increased focus on the perpetrator, encouraging officers to be professionally curious in the investigation of incidents and to give consideration to safeguarding of victims in the first instance through the use of domestic violence protection notices (DVPN), soon to become more effective domestic abuse protection orders (DAPO) under the provisions of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, or through arrest.
"Devon & Cornwall Police is actively working towards the implementation of the DA Act in accordance to the Governments time line and our approach to this has been through working closely with all partners to ensure a smooth and swift introduction of the changes
"Domestic Abuse Matters training is being delivered in Spring 2022 to 700 front line members of Devon & Cornwall Police with a focus upon recognising and realising the benefits of taking positive action."