New figures show attacks on women

ABOUT one in 10 people aged 16 and over in England and Wales were victims of domestic abuse, sexual assault or stalking in the year to March, estimates suggest.

- PRESS ASSOCIATION REPORTERS

The figure is closer to one in eight for women, while for men it is slightly lower at about one in 12.

It is the first time an estimate has been made of the combined prevalence of domestic abuse, sexual assault and stalking. The figures have been published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) using data collected as part of the Crime Survey for England and Wales.

Women’s Aid head of research and evaluation Sarah Davidge said this is a “poignant year” for data relating to violence against women and girls and publishing the figures is a step towards a better overview of such crimes.