25 Nov 2021
New analysis from the Office for National Statistics underlines not only the prevalence of violence against women and girls (VAWG), but also the devastating long-term impact.
Violence against girls
The analysis shows that a quarter of women aged 18 to 74 years experienced abuse before the age of 16 years. Within that [1]:
- 12% of girls under 16 experienced sexual abuse and/or emotional abuse and/or witnessed domestic abuse;
- 8% of girls under 16 experienced physical abuse.
Long-term impact of VAWG
When women who had been victims of rape or assault by penetration, including attempts, since the age of 16 were asked about the effect of this abuse [2]:
- 63% reported mental or emotional problems;
- 50% reported having difficulties in other relationships;
- 21% reported taking time off work;
- 5% reported losing their job or giving up work;
- 10% reported that they had tried to kill themselves as a result of the rape or assault.
Further data included in the analysis shows that around 1 in 11 households in England (8.7%) who were homeless or threatened with homelessness recorded domestic abuse as the main reason [3].
The crime survey showed that 57% of women who had experienced abuse before the age of 16 years, also experienced domestic abuse later in life. In comparison, 17% of women who did not experience abuse before the age of 16 years experienced domestic abuse later in life [4].
And women who had suffered harassment in the past year were more likely to feel unsafe walking alone; some 89% said they felt very or fairly unsafe walking on their own after dark in a park or other open space.
Commenting on the article, Tracey Fletcher, Interim Chief Executive of Agenda said:
“These shocking findings reflect Agenda’s own research, which shows that the one in 20 women who have experienced extensive physical and sexual violence as both a child and an adult go on to face very high rates of problems like mental ill-health, addiction, homelessness, and poverty. For many, this abuse often starts in childhood and the legacy of this trauma goes on to affect the rest of their lives.
To address this truly devastating picture, we must see sustained investment in services that aim to prevent and respond appropriately to the harms caused by abuse. Failing to do so risks the health, wellbeing and opportunities of girls and women across the country, at great personal and social cost to us all.”
To read the full ONS article, click here.
[1] Office for National Statistics – Crime Survey for England and Wales, March 2019
[2] Office for National Statistics – Crime Survey for England and Wales, year ending March 2017 and year ending March 2020 combined
[3] MHCLG (2020) Statutory Homelessness Annual Report, 2019-20, England
[4] Office for National Statistics (2017) Impact of child abuse on later life, Crime Survey for England and Wales, year ending March 2016