Domestic abuse

Domestic abuse

Domestic abuse can cause serious long-term physical and emotional harm to victims as well as those who witness it, for example, children in the household. Witnessing or experiencing domestic abuse as a child is a key Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE). This is important as children’s early experiences have a significant impact on their development, particularly as there is evidence to suggest that children who experience ACEs are more likely to become involved in crime, either as a victim or perpetrator. The impact of domestic abuse on children in the city is highlighted by 60% of high risk domestic abuse referrals (HRDAs) having children or young people in the household (2022/23).

As part of the Domestic Abuse Act, a statutory definition for domestic abuse was created, which emphasises that domestic abuse is more than just physical abuse and includes the following:

• Physical or sexual abuse;
• Violent or threatening behaviour;
• Controlling or coercive behaviour;
• Economic abuse;
• Psychological, emotional or other abuse

It is difficult to understand the overall picture of domestic abuse, as it is frequently a hidden crime with very high levels of under-reporting. Therefore, it is difficult to say whether observed changes reflect a ‘true’ change, especially because police recorded figures of domestic abuse are likely to have been impacted by changes to recording practices, policing activity and public reporting of crime.

Domestic flagged crime accounted for 16.0% of all recorded crimes in Southampton, a similar proportion compared to the previous year (16.9% in 2021/22). Domestic flagged crime includes domestic violent crime, which has decreased for the first time in a decade, having increased consecutively for the previous nine years. However, it is important to note that this may not reflect a 'true' decline. Domestic violence continues to be a key driver of violent crime in Southampton, with almost a third (32.0%) of violent crimes flagged as domestic in the most recent year.

Although anyone can experience domestic abuse, there is a very strong link between deprivation and domestic flagged crime in Southampton. The rate of domestic flagged crime is 5.5 times higher in the most deprived neighbourhoods in the city compared to rates for the least deprived areas.

A summary report and slide set produced as part of the 2022/23 Strategic Assessment are available to download below. The interactive community safety dashboard can be accessed using the link below. For more information on crime in Southampton, see the Safe City Strategic Assessment page.