Domestic violence figures to be presented to councillors in Stockton
The scale of Stockton’s domestic abuse problem has been laid bare with about one in five people aged 16 and above having experienced it.
Statistics to be presented to councillors show 20.5% of people aged 16 and over in Stockton – 33,508 people – had experienced domestic abuse since they turned 16. The Crime Survey for England and Wales 2024 said an estimated 4.8% of people aged 16 and over, 7,845 people, experienced domestic abuse in the last year.
There were 5,225 recorded incidents of domestic abuse in Stockton in 2023-4, with 3,907 recorded as crimes, and 26 domestic abuse-related incidents and crimes per 1,000 population in the town, just above the England and Wales average of 24 and below the North-east average of 32. Domestic abuse-related crimes accounted for 17% of crimes recorded by Cleveland Police.
The figures say 40% of domestic abuse incidents in Stockton involved a repeat victim, with 73% of survivors female, 27% male. They also record a quarter of referrals to Stockton Council’s children’s services were domestic abuse-related, with 1,010 referrals listing it as the reason for contact, and 239 homeless presentations involved domestic abuse.
The statistics also shed some light on the difficulties faced by prosecutions. They said 64% of victims were not supportive of prosecutions against their abusers.
The information is being shared with the council’s community safety select committee, which is undertaking an eight-month review of children affected by domestic abuse. It will look at children’s experiences, the impacts on them, local risks, how the council and other partners help them, listen to them and tackle the problem.
Mandy MacKinnon, the council strategic health and wellbeing manager, will give a presentation to councillors on the prevalence of domestic abuse, defined as a single incident or pattern where someone’s behaviour is abusive. This can involve psychological, physical, sexual, financial, economic, emotional, controlling or coercive abuse, with children who see or hear domestic abuse recognised as victims in their own right.
The presentation also speak of far-reaching impacts including fear, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, loneliness, isolation, untreated injuries, sleep problems, post traumatic stress disorder, enduring trauma, work disruption, homelessness, substance misuse and suicide. It is estimated 30% of domestic abuse begins in pregnancy, and the real figure is likely to be higher because of under-reporting.
Exposure to domestic abuse is present in 52% of child deaths, according to the presentation. And half of children in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) are said to be victims or survivors of domestic abuse.
The committee will hear of the effects on children, with babies under a year old at highest risk of serious incidents or homicide, and effects on children’s development and impacts like stress, fear, anxiety, eating disorders and self-harm. It will discuss the council’s duties when it comes to safe accommodation and representing the voices of survivors.
The council has a domestic abuse strategy until 2028 to listen to, support and protect everyone who experiences domestic abuse and give them access to inclusive, quality, affordable and appropriate safe accommodation and support. It also aims to hold perpetrators to account and support them to change their behaviour.
The committee will also hear from Louise Hollick, assistant director for early help, safeguarding and children in care, regarding legal duties, safeguarding guidance, information-sharing, early help support and social work interventions. The figures show police made 49% of all referrals relating to domestic abuse.