Domestic Abuse

The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 states that domestic abuse occurs when one individual behaves in an abusive way to another individual. Both parties must be aged 16 years or over and personally connected (i.e., current or former intimate partners, or as family members). Behaviour is abusive if it consists of: 

• physical or sexual abuse 
• violent or threatening behaviour 
• controlling or coercive behaviour 
• economic abuse 
• psychological, emotional, or other abuse 

The Act identifies a child as victim of domestic abuse when the child is related to somebody involved in domestic abuse (as defined above) and they see, hear, or experience the effects of abuse. 

Rates of domestic abuse appear to have fallen in recent years, but remains highly prevalent, affecting adults of all ages from all backgrounds. Nationally, the prevalence of domestic abuse among people aged 16+ indicates that 1 in 4 adults have experienced being a victim of domestic abuse at some time in their lives, from age 16. For women the figure is nearly 1 in 3 (30%) (ONS, 2025).

Domestic abuse has physical and psychological effects on victims. A small number of the most serious cases result in serious injury and death. Loneliness and isolation significantly impact victims of domestic abuse. The need for social contact is so strong it can override the need for safety, as witnessed when children cling to an abusive parent. Perpetrators of abuse may isolate victims; family and friends may ‘freeze out’ survivors; or survivors may socially isolate themselves due to depression, low self-esteem and a sense of helplessness that accompanies abuse. Rebuilding severed relationships following abuse can seem impossible when suffering from fragile mental health, but a most important step towards recovery (Source: Broxtowe Women’s Project). 

Domestic Abuse has a significant impact on many public agencies beyond healthcare, such as policing, criminal justice, housing, benefits, schooling, and social care. It also has a significant economic impact. A 2019 study by the Home Office estimated the total social and economic cost of domestic abuse was approximately £66 billion, of which £14 billion was due to lost output relating to time taken off work and reduced productivity. Meanwhile, children who witness domestic abuse are 3 times more likely to become a victim of domestic abuse in adult life, demonstrating the long reaching consequences and cyclical nature of abuse (ONS, 2017). 

Lincolnshire Preventing Domestic Abuse Strategy 2025-2028 
Freedom from Violence and Abuse: a cross-government strategy to build a safer society for women and girls Volume 1 Strategy 2025 
The Ministry of Defence, No Defence for Abuse 2018-2023  
Captive & Controlled’ Domestic Abuse in Rural Areas (National Rural Crime Network)  
Domestic Abuse Act 2021 
NICE Guidance: Domestic violence and abuse: multi-agency working [PH50]  
NICE: Quality Standard QS116 – Domestic violence and abuse 

Domestic abuse is often a hidden crime not reported to police. This means data held by police forces provides only a partial picture of levels of domestic abuse. Comparing statistics between police force areas is confounded by differences in recording practice, and in the public’s confidence in their local force. There are no recent robust figures that allow comparison of the nature or scale of domestic abuse in Lincolnshire with other areas of the country.

The Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) (ONS, 2025) collects data about experiences of domestic abuse so becoming the most reliable source of information about the scale, the nature, and the characteristics of victims.

The CSEW allows statistical estimates for the number of victims of domestic abuse to be made. Assuming local prevalence mirrors national prevalence, there will be 50,000 Lincolnshire residents aged 16+ suffering domestic abuse every year. This number has seen a noticeable increase due to the introduction of new survey questions to measure domestic abuse (CSEW New Questions, 2025).  

In addition to this, it is estimated that 1 in 5 children will witness or hear domestic abuse (Domestic Abuse Commissioner, Oct 2025). 

National surveys and local agencies confirm that, while domestic abuse can happen anywhere to anybody, some groups and locations are more likely to be affected than others. In particular:  

• women 
• people aged 16-24 years  
• people with a disability/long term illness 
• a single parent with children  
• people who are separated/divorced  
• students  
• people who are unemployed 

(ONS Prevalence figures, 2025) 

The Lincolnshire Domestic Abuse Partnership (LDAP) works in a committed and collaborative way to stop domestic abuse through education and intervention. The Partnership practices a continual cycle of domestic abuse need assessments at three-yearly intervals. An intelligence-led approach allows continual growth and understanding in identifying and responding to changes, ensuring the right services are in the right place. The Partnership employs reflective practice to continuously improve. 

The creation of a ‘survivor network’ will help support people more effectively, making change that really matters to people. The Domestic Abuse strategy sets out shared ambitions and key priorities for the LDAP and outlines key areas of action over the next 3 years. This is an inclusive strategy relevant to all victims of Domestic Abuse. 

Lincolnshire County Council (LCC), Integrated Care Board (ICB) and the Office of Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) commissions a Specialist Domestic Abuse Service (LDASS) for Lincolnshire.  The service offers support and assistance to individuals and families and encompasses the following elements: 

• A digitally based Universal Offer to all victims of domestic abuse in Lincolnshire 
• A Support Hub, including helpline, effective triage, and strength-based assessment 
• Adult Support Interventions including complex needs pathway 
• Children and Young People’s Support Interventions 
• IDVA Support for victims at highest risk of serious harm 
• Recovery Support 
• An Outreach and Engagement Team 

LCC also commissions Domestic Abuse Safe Accommodation for Lincolnshire that offers a safe breathing space where individuals and families can access support to make future decisions free from pressure and fear. There are a range of safe accommodation options throughout Lincolnshire. 

There are numerous Domestic Abuse (DA) specific services within Lincolnshire, supporting people involved or at risk of domestic abuse: 

Early identification  

• Stay Safe – The Stay Safe Partnership is a collaboration of local organisations creating and delivering age-appropriate student workshops, staff training and parental guidance for school age children across Lincolnshire. 
• Multi-Agency Domestic Abuse Training – Virtual training packages available for practitioners across the County. 

Victim-Focused 

• Lincolnshire Domestic Abuse Specialist Service – provides a wide range of support for people in Lincolnshire who are at risk of, experiencing, or affected by domestic abuse. Its core purpose is to make sure anyone affected can access information, advice, and specialist intervention support. 
• Safe Accommodation Services – Targeted accommodation-based service for victims.  
• EDAN Lincs – Free confidential support and assistance to anyone experiencing domestic abuse in Lincolnshire. 
• EDAN Lincs Domestic Abuse Refuge Provision – Offers a breathing space where future decisions can be made free from pressure and fear. The refuges cater for women, men and children if accompanied by their parent. 
• Haven – Targeted accommodation and Domestic abuse services based in Boston and South Holland. 
• Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) – A countywide multi-agency risk assessment conference that supports the most high-risk victims of Domestic Abuse. 

Perpetrator Focused 

• Building Better Relationships – A programme for male perpetrators of violence and abuse within (heterosexual) relationships.  
• Respect Phoneline – National service providing help for domestic perpetrators. 

Other sources of help 

• Lincolnshire Police – how to contact the police and a list of organisations who can support victims  
• Connect to Support – Directory of available help for domestic abuse both local and national. 

Stakeholders agree on the importance of having a Domestic Abuse strategy for Lincolnshire and they are intrinsic in the development of the Lincolnshire Preventing Domestic Abuse Strategy which was recently reviewed and published in 2025.  Leadership and strategy must drive commissioning and service delivery. Stakeholders agree that demand for services is high and is likely to increase.

Feedback from survivors is encouraged and collected at service level, then used to inform agencies about their experiences with these objectives: 

• To obtain data about the type of abuse, age of victims and amount of time suffered 
• To discover the level of satisfaction victims have had with agencies 
• To discover which agencies victims had contact with 
• To obtain feedback on any court process 
• To understand the barriers to leaving abusive relationships 
• To identify victims’ thoughts on which agencies could or should have helped earlier 
• To understand impacts on children

Survivor engagement is a priority for the LDAP.  Survivors are a big part of the recommissioning process and LCC and the Police work together to support the Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) voices group. 

• The Domestic abuse agenda has a strong governance structure under the Lincolnshire Domestic Abuse Partnership and has been pivotal in developments over the last 3 years. 
• There is a strong sense of shared purpose amongst partners with clarity on the importance of the partnership and their role within it. 
• There is competent, driven and united leadership.
• There are high levels of trust and honesty amongst partners; with partners challenging one another, sharing honest reflections and willing to be vulnerable. 
• The partnership has a real sense of collaboration and commitment. 
• The number of Domestic Abuse incidents reported to the police in the last year has increased to 12,500 which is an increase of 2,500 from the previous year, with around 7,500 of those being classified a standard risk. 
• We have seen an increase in the number of Domestic Abuse Related Deaths where people have taken their own lives. 
• Through the Vulnerable Localities Index (VLI) work we have identified a link in certain pockets of the county between Domestic Abuse and unemployment. 
• Safe Accommodation continues to be an area of focus as part of our statutory duties under the Domestic Abuse Act and forms a significant part of the ongoing activity of the partnership through the commissioning plans. 
• Partners feel restricted when it comes to supporting people with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) and want to better understand their statutory duties and how they can support people. 
• Through the statutory Domestic Abuse Related Death Review (DARDR) work we have seen an increase in Bidirectional abuse and the need to develop a consistent partnership approach in response. 
• The partnership is committed to finding the right perpetrator response for Lincolnshire but there is lack of clarity on how this will be funded once the operational model is finalised. 
• Moving survivors and their families from safe accommodation onto independent living continues to be an issue for a variety of reasons and the partnership needs to unpick and mobilise the barriers surrounding this. 

The challenge of ending Domestic Abuse involves breaking cycles of abuse, preventing future incidents, and influencing society to change cultural norms.  

The next steps are to continue to deliver on the Domestic Abuse Strategy, with many of the actions already underway across the partnership. The focus now is on moving from strategic commitments to visible, measurable progress to: 

Strengthen Early Identification & Prevention

• Rolling out enhanced domestic abuse training for frontline staff across health, education, policing, housing, and community services. 
• Embedding routine enquiry and early help pathways across agencies. 
• Expanding targeted public awareness campaigns, particularly for rural and underrepresented communities. 

Enhance Support for Victims, Survivors & Children

• Implementing a consistent countywide offer of specialist support, including safe accommodation, advocacy, and therapeutic services. 
• Improving accessibility for older adults, disabled people, migrant communities, and those facing multiple disadvantages. 
• Embedding trauma informed practice across all commissioned and partner services. 
• Strengthening support for children as victims in their own right, with schools and early years settings increasingly integrated into referral pathways. 

Increase Perpetrator Accountability & Behaviour Change

• Commissioning and expanding evidence-based perpetrator intervention programmes. 
• Strengthening multiagency risk management processes to reduce repeat harm. 
• Improving data sharing between police, probation and specialist services, to monitor risk and compliance. 

Build a Stronger Multi-Agency System 

• Formalising governance through the Domestic Abuse Local Partnership Board, with clearer accountability and performance oversight now being established. 
• Improving data quality, shared intelligence, and consistent reporting across agencies. 
• Deepening collaboration with voluntary and community sector partners to widen reach and capacity. 

Commissioning & Resource Planning

• Aligning commissioning decisions with the needs assessment and identified service gaps. 
• Securing sustainable funding for specialist services, including safe accommodation provision and community-based support. 
• Developing outcome focused commissioning frameworks to measure impact and value. 

Scrutiny, Monitoring & Continuous Improvement

• Implementing a robust performance framework to track progress against strategic priorities. 
• Using lived experience feedback to shape service design and evaluate effectiveness. 
• Conducting annual reviews to ensure the strategy remains responsive to emerging needs and legislative changes.