You are viewing 1 of your 1 free articles
Almost 70% of killings of women by men took place in the home
Just under 70% of killings of women by men took place in the victim’s home in 2018, new data has revealed.
Latest figures from the annual femicide census, carried out by women’s charity Nia, found that 102 (68%) of the 149 women who were killed by men in 2018 were murdered in their home.
Of the 102 femicides committed in the home in 2018, 50 took place in a home the victim shared with the perpetrator and 52 took place in a home that was not shared with the perpetrator.
The data, which is based on Freedom of Information Act requests and media reports, found that 91 (61%) of women killed were killed by their current or former partner.
The news comes in the same week that the government announced an extra £16.6m to help councils fund accommodation-based support for domestic abuse survivors.
READ MORE
Next month, the long-delayed Domestic Abuse Bill will be reintroduced to parliament. Initially introduced last year by Theresa May, the bill will place a legal duty on councils to adequately fund refuge accommodation for those fleeing abuse.
In 2018, the Chartered Institute of Housing launched the Make a Stand campaign, which asked housing associations to make a series of commitments to support residents and staff experiencing domestic abuse.
More than 300 housing associations have signed up to the commitments, which include putting in place policies to support both residents and staff who are experiencing domestic abuse.
Karen Ingala Smith, chief executive of Nia, said: “For every woman killed there are thousands of women living in violent, controlling and abusive relationships.
“The closure and under-resourcing of specialist women-only services and refuges and of public services means that even where women may want to leave, they may struggle to find the help, support and safety they need and to which they are entitled.”
