Domestic Violence Statistics

• Two women are killed every week due to domestic violence in the UK
• It is estimated that one in four women will experience domestic violence at some time in her life
• One incident is reported to the police every minute (Stanko, 2000)
• Domestic violence and other abuse is the most common cause of depression and other mental
  health difficulites in women
• 50-60% of patients using mental health services are affected by DV and over 20% will be currently abused
• 18% of women affected are suicidal
• 64% have post traumatic stress disorder (range of symtomps numbing of emotions, flashbacks, anger avoidance, hyperaousal, depression, substande misuse)
• 19% of women experiencing domestic violence misuse or depend on alcohol (compared to 5-8% of women in general)
• Women being abused are more likely to use drugs other than alcohol
• Other psychological impacts of domestic violence include anxiety, eating disorders, self-harm, sleep disturbances, somatic symptoms, social phobia, panic attacks, damage to confidence and self-esteem