Family Law in Partnership director Helen Greenfield, comments on the latest statistics covering domestic abuse:

“Statistics released this week by the most recent Crime Survey for England and Wales show that over recent years there has been little change in the prevalence of domestic abuse estimated. However, the number of cases reported to the police and recorded by them has increased, which must be a positive. That said, the majority of cases do not come to the attention of the police, and many of those that do, do not result in a conviction for the perpetrator of the abuse. This surely needs to change.

The report found that, in the year ending March 2018, an estimated 2.0 million adults aged 16 to 59 years experienced domestic abuse (1.3 million women, 695,000 men). So, according to the statistics, women were four times as likely as men to have experienced sexual assault by a partner (including attempts) in that twelve month period. Female victims of partner abuse were more likely than male victims to experience non-physical abuse (emotional, financial) and sexual assault by rape or penetration (including attempts). Perhaps interestingly, however, male victims of partner abuse reported a higher level of force than female victims.

It is clear that domestic abuse continues to be a huge issue facing society and sadly one that is not going away, despite an increased focus by the government and other agencies.”

Family Law in Partnership director Helen Greenfield has been specialising in family law for over 10 years and advises on all matters relating to family breakdown, divorce and cohabitation. She has a particular interest in helping those who have been affected by domestic abuse. This can include anything from isolating a person from their friends and family, monitoring their time, taking control over aspects of their everyday life such as where they can go, who they can see, what to wear, their finances or when they can sleep to threats to hurt to kill or even physical assault. Helen recognises that the legal implications of this are accompanied by a plethora of emotional and other issues and aims to ensure that clients are able to work through them with the right advice and support.

Contact Helen at E: hello@flip.co.uk or T: 020 7420 5000.