Domestic abuse
Intelligence assessment
Domestic abuse is a term that describes intentional, ongoing, controlling and coercive behaviours by one person, using emotional, financial, physical and sexual violence, stalking and harassment, to ensure power and control over another, with who they have, or have had, an intimate or family relationship.
Understanding what domestic abuse is and how it impacts on individuals, families and communities, is crucial to ensuring that high-quality and cost-effective services are delivered in Lancashire.
According to estimations from the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW), 4.8% of people aged 16 years and over experienced domestic abuse throughout England and Wales in 2023/24, showing no significant change from 2022/23.
In 2023/24 857,810 domestic abuse recorded offences were flagged for England and Wales, compared with 911,248 recorded offences flagged for 2022/23. However, looking at long term trends, the 16-59-year age specifically, shows a gradual decline in domestic abuse over the last 10 years to 5.4% in 2023/24, compared with 6.5% in 2013/14.
The latest CSEW domestic abuse specific data for 2023/24 is due out November 2024 therefore the following figures are from the 2022/23 report.
51,288 domestic abuse-related prosecutions took place in England and Wales in 2022/23, 3.6% less when compared to 53,207 in 2021/22. In Lancashire, almost 9% fewer prosecutions took place in 2022/23 when compared with 2021/22, but there was a higher success rate of 78% in 2022/23, compared to a 76% success rate in 2021/22.
In Lancashire-14, 35,720 domestic abuse-related incidents and crimes were recorded, equivalent to 23 incidents and crimes per 1,000 people. This is slightly lower than the England and Wales 2022/23 rate of 24 per 1,000 population (1,453,867 incidents).
The number of domestic abuse cases open to Lancashire's Children and Family Wellbeing service (CFW) rose by almost 17%, from an average of 839 in 2022/23 to an average of 981 in 2023/24. However, when comparing over the past five years, this is almost 22% lower than during the Covid-19 pandemic (March 2020/21), where there was an average of 1,256 cases open to the CFW service.
Please note: The Crime Survey for England Wales (CSEW) statistics taken from the 2023/24 release are based on eight months of data collection because of an error in the survey, which resulted in missing data. Caution should be taken when using the data because of the impact of the reduced data collection period on the quality of the estimates. Further information can be found here
This joint strategic needs assessment (JSNA) (PDF 450 KB) summarises all the evidence available both nationally and locally that can inform decision making around the provision of services by statutory and voluntary, community and faith sector (VCFS) agencies for domestic abuse within Lancashire. More details are contained in the technical reports.
- The evidence base (PDF 1.3 MB) looks at current literature and Lancashire partnership intelligence about the prevalence and trends in reported domestic abuse in the county. It explores the characteristics of known victims and perpetrators and discusses the factors which can make the problem worse. It also looks at policy changes and their implication for all services dealing with domestic abuse.
- The service user experience consultation (PDF 563 KB) gives the qualitative view of domestic abuse in the county through in-depth interviews with a number of survivors of domestic abuse.
- The service mapping (PDF 587 KB) review looks at current domestic abuse service provision across the Lancashire-12 area.
- The good practice report (PDF 569 KB) looks at evaluations of national and local interventions.
- A report focusing in on children and young people (PDF 406 KB)
The JSNA and accompanying reports have been developed by a multi-agency team encompassing all the statutory agencies who deliver services related to domestic abuse in Lancashire.
From this evidence a number of recommendations have been developed around prevention, early identification and disclosure, early intervention, commissioning of services, workforce development, building resilience and developing inter-agency collaboration.
Improving the police response to domestic abuse
In an HMIC report, Lancashire Constabulary stood out as providing a better service to victims of domestic abuse than other forces. Part of its strength is its ability to deliver a service in partnership with a comparatively high number of Independent Domestic Violence Advocates (IDVAs), who are funded by a range of partners and are able to support a range of cases not just the high risk ones. It failed on one element of the survey, by not being able to provide data on repeat victims of domestic abuse. Download this report - HMIC Lancashire Improving the police response to domestic abuse (PDF 155 KB).
Domestic Violence Protection Orders (DVPO)
Domestic Violence Protection Orders (DVPOs) and Domestic Violence Protection Notices (DVPNs) were rolled out across all 43 police forces in England and Wales from 8 March 2014. DVPOs were introduced in Lancashire on 28 July 2014 and from this date to 31 December 2014, 34 DVPNs were authorised by the rank of superintendent or above, 31 DVPOs granted by court and one DVPO breached. Download the report - Domestic Violence Protection Orders (DVPO): One year on - Home Office assessment of national roll-out.
Page updated Sept 2024