Suicide becomes the biggest cause of deaths related to domestic violence for first time

The number of domestic abuse victims taking their own lives has become even higher than the number being killed by their partners, a new report has revealed, as police were urged to do more to stop violent and coercive men.

The report, for the National Police Chiefs’ Council, shows that 93 out of 242 domestic abuse related deaths nationwide between April 2022 were suicides. That was more than the 80 “intimate partner homicides” recorded during the same period, making suicide the most common cause of death among domestic abuse victims for the first time.

The findings, released on Wednesday, which police said reflected better understanding of the factors contributing to suicides, prompted calls for intensified action to stop perpetrators before future lives are lost, as well as a promise of greater efforts to prosecute domestic abusers responsible for driving women to take their own lives.

The report also shows that the abusers were already known to police in four out of five of the domestic abuse cases that ended in a killing or suicide, while three out of five were known to other agencies.

Around 10 per cent of suspects were recorded as either currently or previously having been managed by police or probation.

The report adds that risk factors showing a homicide risk include the use of controlling and coercive behaviour, mental ill health, alcohol use, drug use and the end of a relationship.

Met Assistant Commissioner Louisa Rolfe, the National Police Chiefs’ Council lead on domestic abuse, said: “Every single one of these deaths represents an unfathomable loss for families.

“Forces are strengthening their approach to suspected victim suicides following domestic abuse. Perpetrators should always be held to account for their abhorrent actions, and this should be no different when a victim has sadly taken their own life.

“It is important that we continue to develop our work with partner agencies, such as the Crown Prosecution Service, to improve posthumous charges and convictions in cases of suspected victim suicide.”