Evidence-led prosecutions do not rely solely on the victim's testimony. Police and prosecutors gather independent evidence (e.g., 999 calls, body-worn camera footage, medical records, witness statements) to build a case that can proceed even if the victim withdraws. This approach:
- Reduces pressure on victims: Victims do not have to give evidence in court if there is sufficient other evidence.
- Holds perpetrators to account: Cases can proceed even if the victim is too frightened to testify.
Evidence-led prosecutions require better police investigation and more resources, but have been shown to increase conviction rates.
3. Increased Funding for Support Services
Victims need:
- More refuge spaces: To meet the Council of Europe standard of 50 spaces per 100,000 women, England needs to double the number of refuge spaces.
- More IDVAs: The ratio of 1 IDVA per 304 cases is unsustainable. Victims need consistent support from report to trial and beyond.
- Trauma counselling: Immediate access to counselling, not 12-18 month waiting lists.
4. Perpetrator Programmes
Addressing perpetrator behaviour is essential to reducing domestic abuse:
- Behaviour change programmes: Programmes like the Respect Perpetrator Programme have been shown to reduce reoffending by 30-40%, but are underfunded and not widely available.
- Monitoring and enforcement: Perpetrators who complete programmes should be monitored to ensure behaviour change is sustained.
5. Cultural Change in Police and CPS
Police and prosecutors need:
- Better training: All officers and prosecutors should receive specialist training in domestic abuse, coercive control, and trauma-informed practice.
- Accountability: Forces and CPS areas should be held to account for low charge and conviction rates, with targets and regular inspections.
The Bottom Line
Police recorded 912,000 domestic abuse incidents in 2024, but only 54,000 resulted in prosecution—a charge rate of 5.9%, down from 7.8% in 2019. Victim withdrawal is the main reason cases collapse, driven by lack of support, court delays averaging 18 months, and fear of perpetrators. The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 introduced new protections, but underfunding and court backlogs have limited its impact. Victims' groups call for specialist domestic abuse courts, evidence-led prosecutions, increased funding for refuges and support services, and perpetrator programmes. Without sustained investment and cultural change in the justice system, domestic abuse prosecutions will continue to fall, leaving victims unprotected and perpetrators free to continue abusing.
Key takeaways
- Police recorded 912,000 domestic abuse incidents in 2024, up 8% from 2023, but prosecutions fell to 54,000—a charge rate of 5.9%
- Victim withdrawal is the main reason cases collapse, with 50% of victims retracting statements before trial
- Average wait time from report to trial is 18 months, during which victims often face continued abuse and intimidation
- Only 30% of domestic abuse victims report to police, meaning the true scale is estimated at 2.4 million incidents per year
- The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 introduced new protections, but underfunding and court backlogs have limited its impact
Sources
Related
Daily Junction.mobi portal