In Avon and Somerset, there has been a noted decrease in the number of domestic abuse offences recorded last year, according to recent figures.

Despite this, Women's Aid has called for urgent reforms to enhance police response to domestic abuse, highlighting the reluctance of many survivors to report incidents.

Home Office data reveals that the Avon and Somerset Constabulary recorded 20,614 domestic abuse-related crimes in the year to March 2023, a decrease from 22,414 offences in the previous year.

However, of these offences, only 6.1% led to a charge or summons. This local trend contrasts with the national picture, where police across England and Wales recorded 889,918 domestic abuse crimes last year, slightly higher than the previous year and significantly above the levels seen before the pandemic.

Lucy Hadley, Head of Policy at Women's Aid, expressed grave concerns about these statistics. "Survivors often don't report domestic abuse due to mistrust in police and fears that perpetrators won't be held accountable," she stated. "The continued decline in arrests and prosecutions for domestic abuse since 2016 is extremely worrying."

Further data shows that across England and Wales, there were nearly 51,288 domestic abuse-related prosecutions last year, down from 53,207 the previous year. Hadley emphasized the need for a comprehensive strategy to improve police handling of domestic abuse and violence against women and girls, advocating for specialist training in coercive control for those working in the justice system.

Ellen Miller, Interim CEO at Refuge, also highlighted the high demand for support services, exceeding pre-pandemic levels. She stressed the importance of recognizing domestic abuse as a serious crime and called for increased awareness and funding for support services.

According to the Office for National Statistics, an estimated 2.1 million people aged 16 and over in England and Wales experienced domestic abuse last year, with women making up about 65% of the victims. Women are also significantly more likely to experience various forms of domestic abuse compared to men.

A spokesperson for the Home Office reiterated the Government's commitment to protecting victims. "We've classified violence against women and girls as a national threat and are funding specialised training for police in domestic abuse," they said.

The Government aims to maintain its collaborative efforts with police and The Crown Prosecution Service to effectively address these issues.