A growing number of women driven to suicide by domestic abuse are having their cases overlooked, leading experts to describe the situation as a “national scandal.” Research suggests that current official statistics may only capture as few as 6.5% of these tragic deaths.
Underreporting and Systemic Issues
According to the Domestic Homicide Project, led by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), there were 98 suspected suicides following domestic abuse in 2024, compared to 80 intimate partner homicides. However, a study conducted by a suicide prevention programme in Kent found that approximately one-third of all suspected suicides in the region between 2018 and 2024 were linked to domestic abuse. If these regional findings are representative nationwide, the actual number of domestic abuse-related suicides could be as high as 1,500 per year – fifteen times the currently reported figure.
Tim Woodhouse, a University of Kent academic who led the research in Kent, emphasized the need for a national taskforce to address this issue, stating it was “bonkers” to base national estimates on limited data. He described his work as an effort to raise awareness of the scale of the problem, which he believes is significantly underestimated.
Challenges in Investigation and Prosecution
Campaigners are pushing for more thorough investigations into deaths suspected to be linked to domestic abuse, arguing that too often these cases are dismissed as suicides without fully considering the possibility of unlawful killing. To date, there has only been one criminal conviction for manslaughter in the UK where a woman died by suicide following domestic abuse – Nicholas Allen, who pleaded guilty in 2017 after stalking his former partner.
Recent cases, such as those of Georgia Barter and Katie Madden, illustrate these challenges. In Barter’s case, a coroner ruled her suicide an unlawful killing following years of abuse, yet the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) cited insufficient evidence to bring charges. Similarly, in Madden’s case, her former partner admitted to abuse but has not faced criminal investigation in connection with her death.
Organizations like Project Resist and Southall Black Sisters are advocating for systemic change, including improved police training, multi-agency collaboration, and a legal framework that recognizes abuse-related suicide as a form of homicide. Concerns have too been raised about potential disparities in how these cases are handled within Black, minority, and migrant communities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the scale of the problem?
Research suggests that up to 1,500 women in the UK may be taking their own lives each year as a result of domestic abuse, a figure potentially fifteen times higher than current official statistics indicate.
What are campaigners calling for?
Campaigners are calling for all suicides where domestic abuse is suspected to be investigated as potential homicides from the outset, to ensure evidence is preserved and to better protect victims.
How many convictions have there been for manslaughter in cases of domestic abuse-related suicide?
To date, there has been only one criminal conviction for manslaughter in UK legal history where a woman has died by suicide following domestic abuse.
As investigations and advocacy efforts continue, the question remains: how can the justice system better identify, address, and prevent these tragic outcomes?
