Today, 25th March 2025, findings from the Domestic Homicide Project show that that for a second year in a row, suspected suicides following domestic abuse have overtaken the number of homicides involving current or previous partners.
Responding to these findings and the wider report the Domestic Abuse Commissioner, Dame Nicole Jacobs, said:
“Every life lost to violence and abuse is a harrowing demonstration that our current approach needs to change. Behind these figures are people who had hopes and aspirations that have been cruelly taken and a heartbroken family left searching for answers. There is no excuse for this failure.
“I have been clear that when an unexpected death occurs that the police must check for a history of domestic abuse, so that perpetrators can be held to account for their role. But crucially we need to see greater information sharing between public services, so that incidents of domestic abuse are spotted, and the right support is put in place quickly, so we can better protect victims.
“I am currently reviewing how to hold agencies to account on ensuring that lessons are learnt when a domestic abuse related death occurs. This includes ensuring recommendations from domestic abuse related death reviews are implemented swiftly and that learnings are embedded at both a national and local level.
“As only through closer collaboration, will we prevent more deaths in the future.”