Domestic abuse claims more women's lives than we realise

It was crime novelist PD James who said that the detective story is less about murder than the restoration of order.

- JANE MONCKTON SMITH

There is much truth in this. Detective drama is a mainstay of our entertainment, and the most successful formula sees the tenacious detective catch the killer against all odds.

These fictional detectives have varying flaws and skills, but they all want that killer brought to justice. And we root for that detective, feeling safe in the knowledge that things will resolve, because the stakes are so high. We have to believe that of all the injustices and crimes we may suffer, at least we are protected from that one, because we believe that all but the most determined killers will be caught.

Criminologist David Wilson said: “People imagine that all murders will be treated the same, but in my experience, this isn’t the case.” He is right, and when we consider the scale of deaths from domestic abuse, we cannot be so comfortable that our systems are working. It is well reported that two women a week lose their lives to domestic homicide, but this isn’t even the whole picture.

Suicides related to domestic abuse have only recently been counted, though estimates have suggested that anywhere between three and nine women take their lives in such circumstances every week. There are also the so-called hidden homicides – these are even more difficult to count as they are recorded as falls, accidents, or misadventure, for example.