Exclusive: domestic abuse charges in Norfolk hit decade low last year
These figures come despite a slight rise in offences reported by Norfolk Police in 2025
Last updated 20th Feb 2026
A woman living near Norwich - who faced domestic abuse for six years - is telling us she was threatened with weapons and left for dead.
Zina Wilkinson from Thorpe St Andrew is sharing her story, with us.
As figures revealed exclusively to us show the number of charges for domestic abuse across Norfolk hit a 10 year low in 2025 - despite a slight rise in offences.
"There were times where I wanted to call the Police...but I wasn't able to"
Zina's calling for tougher sentences:
"I didn't realise at the time how bad it was until I had police officers say to me, we've been here a fair few times now.
"There were times where I wanted to call the Police and I wanted to ask for help, but I wasn't able to do that as my phone had been taken or I would be held hostage.
"My family was impacted by all of this, my child was impacted as well.
"The impact it can have on people is a catastrophic and even though you can deal with something in the moment, you're still dealing with it the aftermath many years later.
"What you can do is have longer sentences, faster sentencing and less bias. Comments like 'why didn't you leave', it's impossible for some people to leave.
"I would urge all victims of this to come forwards"
Sarah Taylor is Norfolk's Police and Crime Commissioner:
"The Police need more resources to be able to be able to do this really effectively and for more people.
"Every time I speak with officers, it blows me away what they're able to do with the resources that they have available.
"I sincerely hope that the Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) strategy is going to be supplemented by additional support.
"I would urge all victims of this to come forwards. I do appreciate and I do understand having spoken with a number of people who've experienced this, just how nervous, fearful or worried that you might be about doing it.
"I also understand that for some people- there's a sense that nothing will change.
The numbers in full:
What have Ministers had to say on all of this?
The Government says it's aiming to halve violence against women and girls by 2029.
This is all part of the wider 'Violence Against Women and Girls' strategy, published in December 2025.
"We cannot simply respond to harm after it happens"
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said:
"Having spent years working in a refuge for women experiencing domestic abuse, I know just how much early intervention could have changed lives. We cannot simply respond to harm after it happens; we must give young people the understanding and tools they need before attitudes harden into harm.
Investing in our teachers and ensuring they can respond to the realities children face today is so vital to renewing our communities, and protecting young women.
Support links:
Leeway refuge services
0300 561 0077
Website: here
NIDAS - Norfolk Integrated Domestic Abuse Services (medium and high risk support)
0300 561 0555
Text: 07860 063 464
Out of hours: 0808 2000 247
Website: here
Norfolk and Suffolk Victim Care (standard risk)
0300 303 3706
National Helpline: 0808 1689 111 (24 hours)
Website: here
Pandora Project (standard risk support North and West Norfolk)
Website: here
Email: [email protected]