Horrific number of Yorkshire women killed in domestic abuse crimes

-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


The horrific number of women being killed during domestic abuse crimes has been revealed.

Home Office figures have revealed 65 per cent of domestic homicide victims across the country were women. In total, statistics recorded 353 domestic homicide victims from the year ending March 2021 to March 2023. Of those deaths, 231 were women, which represents 65 per cent.

The data comes as new domestic abuse protection notices and orders, introduced by the previous Government, are set to be piloted in parts of England and Wales before being implemented nationwide.

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Domestic homicides in Yorkshire

According to each force, the number of people killed by their loved ones from March 2021 to March 2023 is as follows.

Figures also showed the total number of domestic abuse-related crimes recorded by each force in the past year ending in March.

  • West Yorkshire Police recorded 55,043 - a decrease from 64,246 the previous year. Of these crimes, five per cent resulted in a charge or summons.

  • South Yorkshire Police: recorded 23,738 - a decrease from 24,808 the previous year. Of these crimes, nine per cent resulted in a charge or summons.

  • North Yorkshire Police: recorded 7,120 - a decrease from 8,414 the previous year. Of these crimes, five per cent resulted in a charge or summons.

  • Humberside Police recorded 17,383 - an increase from 15,504 the previous year.

Across England and Wales, police forces recorded 851,062 domestic abuse-related crimes, a decline from 911,248 the previous year. However, the Office for National Statistics' crime survey estimated that 2.3 million people aged 16 and over experienced domestic abuse in the past year.

Sarika Seshadi, head of research and evaluation at Women's Aid, said: "It is notable that while police recording of domestic abuse-related crimes has decreased over the past year, this is likely due to changes in their recording practices.

"Consistency and accuracy in recording across police forces will also be critical in measuring progress of cases through the criminal justice system, and the wider Government pledge to halve violence against women and girls.

"With over one in four women over 16 experiencing domestic abuse in their lifetime, and at least one woman being killed by her current or former male partner a week, it is clear that urgent action towards domestic abuse needs to be taken as part of this commitment."

Jess Phillips, the minister for safeguarding and violence against women and girls, stated that the new measures will ensure more victims receive the "robust protection they deserve".

Ms Phillips labeled the statistics on the number of individuals believed to be domestic abuse victims as "appalling" and "frightening". She said: "That's why one of our first acts against our ambitious manifesto pledge to halve violence against women and girls in a decade is to launch new, strengthened domestic abuse protection orders.

"These latest DAPNs and DAPOs are set to address every type of domestic abuse. They differ from some existing orders which may expire after 28 days instead, they will impose no time limits ensuring victims receive sustained protection."

The provisions included within these orders could enforce exclusion zones and mandate abusers to participate in behaviour modification programmes, where failing to comply might lead to a prison sentence of up to five years. Crucial amendments will also permit the victims' kin and acquaintances to request an order for them.

The new measures will be put to the test in Greater Manchester, three boroughs of London and by the British Transport Police, with additional trials set for Cleveland and North Wales early in 2025 before a nationwide implementation.

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