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    Domestic violence explained: definitions, data and the law

    Domestic violence, or intimate partner violence, is abuse or aggression by a current or former partner. It includes physical and sexual violence, stalking and psychological aggression, and UK law adds coercive control and economic abuse.[1][2][3] It is common. WHO estimates that about 1 in 3 women worldwide have experienced partner or sexual violence, and the CDC says more than 1 in 3 US women and 1 in 6 US men have experienced partner violence in their lifetimes.[4][5]

    Editor reviewedStrict sourcingUpdated ExplainerSocial welfare, Health and medicine, Tech policy

    If you are in danger now, call 911 in the US or 999 in the UK. If you cannot speak on a mobile in the UK, press 55 after dialling 999.[6][7] The US National Domestic Violence Hotline is free, confidential and open 24/7 on 1-800-799-7233, or text START to 88788.[8] In England, Refuge’s National Domestic Abuse Helpline is free and open 24 hours on 0808 2000 247.[9] Separate helplines serve Northern Ireland (0808 802 1414) and Scotland (0800 027 1234), and the Men’s Advice Line (0808 801 0327) supports male victims.[10] The Hotline warns that phone and computer use can be monitored without you knowing, and that browsing history cannot be fully erased, even in private mode.[11]

    This explainer covers what domestic violence is, how common it is and how the law responds. It describes patterns and official statistics only; it does not identify anyone. It is not legal or medical advice. For practical steps, see how to get help. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the US.[12]

    What counts as domestic violence

    The CDC calls it intimate partner violence: abuse or aggression in a romantic relationship. “Partner” includes former spouses and dating partners, not just current ones.[1] It names four types: physical violence, sexual violence, stalking and psychological aggression.[2] Abuse is not only physical. WHO’s definition includes controlling behaviours and psychological abuse.[13] The National Domestic Violence Hotline stresses that survivors are never to blame for someone else’s abuse.[14]

    Legal definitions vary. In England and Wales, the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 covers abusive behaviour between people aged 16 or over who are “personally connected”. Abuse covers physical or sexual abuse, violent or threatening behaviour, controlling or coercive behaviour, economic abuse, and psychological, emotional or other abuse. A single incident or a course of conduct can qualify.[3] The Act also treats a related child who sees, hears or experiences the effects of the abuse as a victim.[15] In the US, definitions are mostly set by state law. Federal law adds the Violence Against Women Act grant system and firearm rules.[16][17]

    How common it is

    United States. CDC figures from the 2023/2024 National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey are the latest. More than 1 in 3 women (nearly 43.5 million) and more than 1 in 6 men (20.7 million) experienced contact sexual violence, physical violence and/or stalking by a partner during their lifetimes.[5] About 16 million women and 11 million men said they first experienced partner violence before age 18.[18]

    England and Wales. The Crime Survey estimated that 3.8 million people aged 16 and over (7.8%) experienced domestic abuse in the year to March 2025. That included 2.2 million women (9.1%) and 1.5 million men (6.5%).[19] Police recorded 816,493 domestic abuse-related crimes. ONS says the fall from the previous year reflects changes in police recording practices.[20]

    Worldwide. WHO estimates that about 1 in 3 women (31.6%, or 840 million) have experienced partner violence or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime.[4] Among women aged 15 and older who have been in a relationship, 24.7% have experienced physical or sexual violence from a partner.[21] WHO says the annual decline has averaged only 0.2% over 20 years.[22]

    Survey and police figures measure different things. ONS warns that police recorded crime does not measure prevalence.[20] Its survey questions changed in the year to March 2024, so earlier years are not comparable.[23] The CDC and WHO figures are lifetime measures. The ONS headline is a last-year measure, so the numbers should not be compared directly.[5][19]

    How the law responds

    In the US, Congress passed the Violence Against Women Act in 1994 and last reauthorized it in 2022.[24] Civil protective orders can require an abuser to stay away and stop contact, and the rules vary by state.[25] Federal law bars people under qualifying domestic violence restraining orders from having guns.[17] In 2024 the Supreme Court upheld that kind of temporary disarmament in United States v. Rahimi.[26]

    In the UK, the government published a strategy in December 2025 that declared violence against women and girls a “national emergency” and pledged to halve it in a decade.[27] It includes rolling out domestic abuse protection orders across England and Wales. Breaching one can lead to up to 5 years in jail.[28]

    Next in this course

    See how to get help for hotlines, safety planning and protective orders. Then read the VAWA page and the policy tracker. For abuse of children, see child protection explained.

    Next in the crash course

    Questions readers ask

    Who can I call about domestic violence?

    In the US, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is free, confidential and open 24/7 on 1-800-799-7233, or text START to 88788. In England, Refuge's National Domestic Abuse Helpline is free and open 24 hours on 0808 2000 247. In an emergency call 911 (US) or 999 (UK).[8][9][6][7]

    What is intimate partner violence?

    The CDC defines it as abuse or aggression in a romantic relationship, by a current or former spouse or dating partner. Its four types are physical violence, sexual violence, stalking and psychological aggression.[1][2]

    How common is domestic violence in the US?

    According to the CDC's 2023/2024 survey data, more than 1 in 3 women (nearly 43.5 million) and more than 1 in 6 men (20.7 million) experienced contact sexual violence, physical violence and/or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetimes.[5]

    How common is domestic abuse in England and Wales?

    The Crime Survey estimated that about 3.8 million people aged 16 and over (7.8%) experienced domestic abuse in the year ending March 2025, including 2.2 million women and 1.5 million men.[19]

    Is coercive control a form of domestic abuse?

    Yes, under the UK Domestic Abuse Act 2021, which lists controlling or coercive behaviour and economic abuse alongside physical, sexual, threatening and psychological abuse.[3]

    Are children affected by domestic abuse?

    In England and Wales the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 treats a related child who sees, hears or experiences the effects of domestic abuse as a victim in their own right. In the US, the CDC reports that about 16 million women and 11 million men first experienced partner violence before age 18.[15][18]

    Sources

    · 28 claims from 14 publishers

    Each numbered claim is a statement we checked against the sources listed with it. Tap a number in the text to see its sources in place.

    1. [1]

      The CDC defines intimate partner violence as abuse or aggression in a romantic relationship, where "intimate partner" covers current and former spouses and dating partners. confirmedas of 2026-10-11

    2. [2]

      The CDC lists four types of intimate partner violence; physical violence, sexual violence, stalking and psychological aggression. confirmedas of 2026-10-11

      • About Intimate Partner Violence · U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · Types of IPV list (physical violence, sexual violence, stalking, psychological aggression) (retrieved 2026-10-11)
    3. [3]

      The UK Domestic Abuse Act 2021 defines domestic abuse as abusive behaviour between people aged 16 or over who are personally connected, including physical or sexual abuse, violent or threatening behaviour, controlling or coercive behaviour, economic abuse, and psychological, emotional or other abuse. confirmedas of 2026-10-11

    4. [4]

      WHO estimates that about 1 in 3 women worldwide (31.6%, or 840 million women and girls) have been subjected to physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime. confirmedas of 2026-06-18

    5. [5]

      According to CDC data from the 2023/2024 National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, more than 1 in 3 US women (nearly 43.5 million) and more than 1 in 6 US men (20.7 million) experienced contact sexual violence, physical violence and/or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetimes. confirmedas of 2026-08-19

      • About Intimate Partner Violence · U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · Quick facts; cites NISVS 2023/2024 Data Brief; page last reviewed August 19, 2026 (retrieved 2026-10-11)
    6. [6]

      The National Domestic Violence Hotline tells people in immediate danger or a life-threatening situation to contact 911. confirmedas of 2026-10-11

      • Plan for Safety · National Domestic Violence Hotline (retrieved 2026-10-11)
    7. [7]

      In the UK, people in immediate danger should call 999; if they cannot speak on a mobile, pressing 55 transfers the call to the police. confirmedas of 2026-10-11

    8. [8]

      The US National Domestic Violence Hotline can be reached by calling 1-800-799-7233 (800-799-SAFE), by texting START to 88788 or by online chat, and describes its service as free, confidential and 24/7. confirmedas of 2026-10-11

    9. [9]

      In England, Refuge's National Domestic Abuse Helpline is a free, 24-hour line on 0808 2000 247, for victims and for concerned friends and family. confirmedas of 2026-10-11

    10. [10]

      GOV.UK lists separate domestic abuse helplines for Northern Ireland (0808 802 1414) and Scotland (0800 027 1234), and the UK-wide Men's Advice Line for male victims (0808 801 0327). confirmedas of 2026-10-11

    11. [11]

      The National Domestic Violence Hotline warns that computer and phone use can be monitored without the user knowing, and that browsing history cannot be completely erased even in private or incognito mode; it invites people worried about monitoring to call instead. confirmedas of 2026-10-11

      • Internet Safety · National Domestic Violence Hotline (retrieved 2026-10-11)
      • Internet Safety · National Domestic Violence Hotline (retrieved 2026-10-11)
    12. [12]

      October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the United States; the White House issued a presidential message marking it on October 2, 2026. confirmedas of 2026-10-02

    13. [13]

      WHO defines intimate partner violence as behaviour by an intimate partner or ex-partner that causes physical, sexual or psychological harm, including physical aggression, sexual coercion, psychological abuse and controlling behaviours. confirmedas of 2026-06-18

    14. [14]

      The National Domestic Violence Hotline tells survivors they are never to blame for the abusive actions of others. confirmedas of 2026-10-11

      • Plan for Safety · National Domestic Violence Hotline (retrieved 2026-10-11)
    15. [15]

      The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 treats a child who sees, hears or experiences the effects of domestic abuse, and is related to the people involved, as a victim of domestic abuse. confirmedas of 2026-10-11

    16. [16]

      The Justice Department's Office on Violence Against Women (OVW), created in 1995, administers more than two dozen federal grant programs, most authorized by VAWA, and does not provide direct services to the public. confirmedas of 2026-10-11

    17. [17]

      18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(8) is a federal law that prohibits people subject to a qualifying domestic violence restraining order from possessing a firearm. confirmedas of 2026-10-11

    18. [18]

      The CDC reports that about 16 million US women and 11 million US men said they first experienced intimate partner violence before age 18. confirmedas of 2026-08-19

    19. [19]

      The Crime Survey for England and Wales estimated that about 3.8 million people aged 16 and over (7.8%) experienced domestic abuse in the year ending March 2025, including 2.2 million women and girls (9.1%) and 1.5 million men and boys (6.5%). confirmedas of 2025-11-26

    20. [20]

      Police in England and Wales recorded 816,493 domestic abuse-related crimes in the year ending March 2025, down from 851,062, a fall ONS attributes to changes in police recording practices; domestic abuse-related prosecutions rose to 54,987 from 51,183. ONS notes that police recorded crime does not measure domestic abuse prevalence. confirmedas of 2025-11-26

    21. [21]

      WHO estimates that 24.7% of women aged 15 and older who have been in a relationship have experienced physical and/or sexual violence from a current or former husband or male intimate partner at least once. confirmedas of 2026-06-18

    22. [22]

      WHO says the average annual decline in intimate partner violence over the last 20 years has been only 0.2%, making it very unlikely that the Sustainable Development Goal target to eliminate violence against women by 2030 will be met. confirmedas of 2026-06-18

    23. [23]

      ONS found no statistically significant change in last-year domestic abuse prevalence compared with the previous year, and says comparisons before the year ending March 2024 cannot be made because new survey questions were introduced. confirmedas of 2025-11-26

    24. [24]

      Congress passed the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) in 1994 and reauthorized it in 2000, 2005, 2013 and 2022. confirmedas of 2026-10-11

    25. [25]

      Domestic violence protective order laws differ by state, but orders can typically require the abuser to stop abuse, stay away and have no contact, and can include orders on firearms, support and child custody. confirmedas of 2026-10-11

    26. [26]

      On June 21, 2024, in United States v. Rahimi, the Supreme Court held that a person found by a court to pose a credible threat to another's physical safety may be temporarily disarmed consistent with the Second Amendment. confirmedas of 2024-06-21

    27. [27]

      On 17 December 2025 the UK government published a violence against women and girls (VAWG) strategy; Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the government had declared VAWG a national emergency and would halve it in a decade. confirmedas of 2025-12-17

    28. [28]

      The December 2025 VAWG strategy said every police force will introduce specialist rape and sexual offence investigation teams, and that domestic abuse protection orders will be rolled out across England and Wales with possible curfews, electronic tagging and exclusion zones, and up to 5 years in jail for breaches. confirmedas of 2025-12-17

    Revision history (1)
    1. Page created.

    Created Oct 11, 2026. Last reviewed by an editor on Oct 11, 2026. Next scheduled review: Jan 31, 2027.

    Cite this page

    "Domestic violence explained: definitions, data and the law." ContentLora, updated Oct 11, 2026. https://contentlora.com/explain/domestic-violence-explained

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