The National Policing Vulnerability Knowledge & Practice Programme has published its fourth annual report on deaths related to domestic abuse identified by police in England and Wales. Key findings include: 262 domestic abuse related deaths were recorded between April 2023 and March 2024; 11 of these deaths were of children under 16-years-old; in 81% of child deaths from 2020-24, the suspect was the victim’s carer; and in 20% of all cases from 2020-24, the victim or suspect were known to children’s social services. The report suggests that the relatively small number of reported child deaths reflects the linking of child deaths to child abuse or familicide rather than domestic abuse. Recommendations include that the police should consider whether young people, including under 16s, may be experiencing domestic abuse and/or coercive control in their relationships, necessitating collaboration with partner agencies, such as social care and education.
Download the report: Domestic homicides and suspected victim suicides 2022-2024 report
Source: National Policing Vulnerability Knowledge & Practice Programme
Date published: 25 March 2025
