Domestic abuse victims being failed at every stage, Commissioner says
A new report from the office of the Domestic Abuse Commissioner says victims routinely face a lack of specialist service referrals.
24/01/25

Domestic abuse victims are being failed at every stage, according to a report published by the Domestic Abuse Commissioner.
The report finds that victims routinely face a lack of specialist service referrals, poor enforcement of protective orders, court delays and early release of abusers as they seek safety and justice.
The report also criticised poor multi-agency communication. Siloed working across the criminal justice system was said to fail survivors by missing opportunities to intervene and limiting their access to support. Survivors were far more likely to continue support for a prosecution where they have access to specialist support and advocacy, which allows the system to function more effectively to bring perpetrators to justice.
The report found prisons at breaking point, with the Commissioner warning that this could steer the Government off course, and without addressing the criminal justice response to domestic abuse, the pledge of halving violence against women and girls within a decade will fall flat.
“Just 5% of police-recorded domestic abuse offences reach conviction; and less than a fifth of victims have the confidence to report to the police in the first place. Faith in the system is at an all-time low,” the Domestic Abuse Commissioner for England and Wales, Dame Nicole Jacobs, said.
“My report highlights examples of excellent practice – this must now become the standard across all criminal justice agencies, including our 43 police forces. Change is never easy, but the dedication and commitment of those already driving progress gives me great hope.”
The report also found good value of specialist domestic abuse support to survivors, but the length and demand of current criminal justice processes do not match the resource of specialist support. It said that, in order to ensure that independent specialist domestic abuse services, including ‘by and for’ services, are able to be fully embedded in the criminal justice response and meet existing and any future increases in demand, they must be resourced to do so.
Responding to the Domestic Abuse Commissioner’s report, Foundations – the What Works Centre for Children & Families – said the report “highlights the systemic failures that continue to let victims down, and emphasises the urgent need for change”.
“We support the Commissioner’s call to significantly increase capacity and investment in the sector, alongside stronger collaboration between statutory and non-statutory support, to ensure that no victim falls through the cracks of an overstretched system,” Dr Jo Casebourne, Chief Executive of Foundations, said. “We look forward to working with the Commissioner and others in the sector to ensure that much needed Spending Review investment strengthens the capacity of services and includes funding for evaluation in support of the work of local services.
“Child victims must not be overlooked because we know that domestic abuse has long-lasting and wide-ranging effects on their development, and the Commissioner's forthcoming report on children’s services will make a crucial contribution here.”
Read the full report (PDF): https://domesticabusecommissioner.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/dac_cjs-report_summary_FINAL-DIGITAL.pdf
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