Did you know in the UK a woman is killed by a man every three days on average?
Femicide, the killing of women and girls, is on the rise and it is the ultimate and most brutal manifestation of violence against women and girls. In 2023, 140 women and girls worldwide lost their lives every day at the hands of their partner or a close relative.
Today marks the start of this year’s 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, a global campaign running from 25th November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) to 10th December (Human Rights Day).
At Lincolnshire Action Trust, we are using this time to raise awareness of domestic abuse in all its forms, highlight the devastating impact it has, and show how we are working to help those affected to find safety, stability and strength.
Suicide and domestic abuse
Figures released in March 2025 confirmed a devastating reality: more people in the UK are dying by suicide following domestic abuse than are being killed by a current or former partner. In the year to March 2024 there were 98 suspected suicides linked to abusive relationships, more than the number of intimate partner homicides over the same period.
In many of these cases, coercive and controlling behaviour was a driving factor.
Every one of those lives lost represents someone who experienced unimaginable harm and didn’t get the help they needed in time. It doesn’t have to be this way!
Children and domestic abuse – teen relationships
Domestic abuse can affect anyone including teenagers and young people in their first relationships. Research shows that:
- 25% of girls have experienced the use of physical force
- 72% have faced emotional violence
- 25% have suffered technology-related abuse
Early intervention and education are key to preventing patterns of abuse from taking hold in young relationships.
Harmful practices
Harmful practices is an umbrella term for many practices that take place because of belief systems. There are many different practices worldwide; examples include child marriage, forced marriage, female genital mutilation and child abuse linked to faith or belief.
Every practice that causes harm or denies someone their rights must be challenged.
Stalking
Stalking involves repeated and unwanted attention that makes a person feel pestered, harassed or fearful. It can manifest in various forms, including physical following, online harassment (cyber-stalking) and other intrusive behaviours.
The key elements of stalking include:
- Fixation – the stalker has an obsession with the victim
- Repetition – the behaviour occurs two or more times
- Distress – the victim feels alarmed, distressed or fearful of violence
If you or someone you know is experiencing stalking, organisations like Paladin – the National Stalking Advocacy Service can help.
Child to parent abuse
Child to parent abuse (CPA) is where a child of any age displays repeated abusive behaviours towards a parental figure. This abuse may be physical, verbal, economic, digital, coercive or even sexual and it’s thought to occur in at least 3% of UK homes, although the real figure could be much higher.
CPA is not ‘normal’ challenging behaviour experienced by most parents. It causes parents to feel fearful, isolated and like they are treading on eggshells, forcing them to leave their careers and change their routines and lifestyles. It has a profound impact on families.
PEGS (Parental Education Growth Support) offers virtual services for parents across the UK, as well as training and consultancy to help professionals recognise and respond effectively to CPA.
Elder abuse
It is estimated that around 16% of over-65’s experience some form of abuse, from financial exploitation to physical harm.
Older people with disabilities may be particularly vulnerable and abuse can persist for many years.
Organisations like Hourglass provide vital lifelines for older victims of abuse.
Men as victims
Domestic abuse does not discriminate by gender. Men who experience abuse often face additional barriers to seeking help, fearing disbelief or stigma.
The ManKind Initiative provides dedicated support and resources for male victims of domestic abuse.
Supporting those who choose to change
Realising that your behaviour is causing harm to your family can be one of the most difficult steps toward change. You may have justified and excused physical harm because you ‘lost it’. You may be controlling who they see, what they wear or where they go as it makes you feel safer. If those around you change how they behave to keep you happy because they are afraid of how you will react, there may be a problem.
Respect UK offers confidential support to anyone wanting to change abusive behaviour.
Our commitment
At Lincolnshire Action Trust we believe no person should have to face domestic abuse and that everyone deserves safety, support and hope.
We work alongside local and national partners such as EIDA, Women’s Aid, EDAN Lincs, Blue Door, Lincolnshire County Council and Lincolnshire Domestic Abuse Service to ensure the safety of our clients. Our work is holistic and trauma-informed, focusing on empowering individuals to rebuild their lives with confidence.
Our Women RISE project is a trauma-informed service delivered by women, for women and girls, providing the information, resources and support needed to build resilience and reduce risk across Lincolnshire for women who have come close to the criminal justice system as a result of the abuse they have suffered.
Together, these programmes enable us to make a tangible difference in the lives of those who need it most, helping create a future where everyone in our community feels safe, supported and valued.
If you or someone you know needs support, you can find out more about our Women’s Services here, or you can contact us by calling 01522 806611 or email hello@LATcharity.org.uk.
Further resources
Take time to learn how to spot the signs of domestic abuse and where to find help:
- National Domestic Abuse Helpline – Domestic abuse support
- Samaritans – Suicide prevention
- Reducing the Risk – Abuse in teenage relationships
- PEGS – Parental education growth support – child to parent abuse
- Paladin – The national stalking advocacy service
- Hourglass – Lifeline for older people suffering abuse
- ManKind Initiative – Help for male victims of domestic abuse
- Respect – Choosing to change your abusive behaviour
- Lincolnshire County Council – Domestic abuse support
- Lincolnshire Domestic Abuse Specialist Service – Domestic abuse support
