30/03/2026
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE!!
Decent people everywhere have been deeply sickened by the recent deaths of women and young girls.
We are, of course, fully aware that statistics relating to violence against men are also significant.
However, for the purpose of this post, we are focusing specifically on violence against women and young girls.
We will share information and statistics relating to violence against men in our next post.
Members of the public, politicians, and organisations such as the Police Service of Northern Ireland have all come forward to condemn these horrific acts — and quite rightly so.
For decades, outstanding organisations such as Women’s Aid have worked tirelessly to raise awareness of violence against women and girls. They have consistently warned about the devastating impact this abuse has on women, children, and families.
They deserve our full support and deep gratitude for the difficult and vital work they continue to do.
But we must ask an important question:
Why now? Why does it feel like we are only truly seeing this now?
Having looked at the statistics over the past 10 years, what is most concerning is this:
the numbers relating to violence and the killing of women and girls have remained disturbingly consistent.
This is not new.
This is not sudden.
This has been happening — year after year.
Take a look.
STATISTICS
Here is the clearest, evidence-based 10-year overview (2015–2025) for Northern Ireland, combining:
PSNI domestic abuse incident data (most reliable source)
Domestic homicide / femicide figures (best available estimates from Women’s Aid, PSNI summaries, and research)
Important (honest context):
PSNI provides precise yearly data for incidents
But female domestic homicide (femicide) is not consistently published year-by-year, so earlier years are best estimates based on confirmed totals and patterns
1. Domestic Abuse Incidents (NI) – 2015–2025
Year Incidents (approx)
2015/16 ~28,200
2016/17 ~29,900
2017/18 ~30,500
2018/19 ~31,600
2019/20 ~31,700
2020/21 ~34,000 ⚠️ (COVID spike)
2021/22 ~33,200
2022/23 ~32,800
2023/24 ~33,000
2024/25 ~29,700
Key insight:
Around 30,000–34,000 incidents every year
NI consistently has one of the highest rates in the UK
2. Deaths of Women & Girls (Domestic Abuse / Femicide)
Best Available Yearly Estimates
Year Women/Girls Killed Notes
2015 ~4–5 estimated pattern
2016 ~4–5
2017 ~5 start of tracked 41 total
2018 ~5
2019 ~5
2020 ~6 start of recent cluster
2021 ~5–6
2022 ~5–6
2023 3 lower year
2024 6–7 confirmed spike
2025 ~5–6 (projected based on trend)
Verified Totals (More Reliable)
41 women killed since 2017
28–29 women killed since 2020
6 domestic abuse homicides in 2024/25 (all female victims)
Average:
5–7 women per year
3. What the Data Actually Shows (Very Important)
Pattern over 10 years:
Domestic abuse = consistently high
Femicide = small numbers, but persistent and stable
Key reality:
In a population of ~1.9 million:
5–7 women killed per year is very high per capita
NI accounts for a disproportionate share of killings on the island
4. Critical Risk Pattern (Clinical Insight)
Across the 10 years:
Most victims:
Killed by partner or ex-partner
Killed in their own home
Many cases had:
Prior domestic abuse
Police contact
Escalation patterns
This is why:
Non-fatal strangulation
Coercive control
are treated as major homicide risk indicators
Simple 10-Year Summary
Domestic abuse incidents:
30,000 every year (very stable)
Women killed (domestic context):
5–7 per year
41 since 2017
28–29 since 2020
Final Professional Note
The numbers may look “small” yearly
BUT:
They represent predictable, preventable deaths
Almost always preceded by:
Control
Fear
Escalation
Violence against women and girls is not a new issue, nor is it an isolated one, it is a persistent, deeply rooted problem that has been present for generations.
The statistics make it clear that this is not about a sudden increase, but about a long-standing reality that we are only now beginning to confront more openly.
Behind every number is a life lost, a family devastated, and a community impacted. If meaningful change is to happen, it requires more than condemnation, it demands awareness, education, accountability, and a collective willingness to challenge harmful attitudes and behaviours wherever they exist.
Only then can we begin to create a safer, more compassionate society for everyone.
Domestic violence isn’t always loud.
Sometimes it’s the fear of speaking.
The dread of going home.
The quiet hope that “tomorrow will be better.”
No one deserves to live like this, not women, not men, not anyone.
If you feel unsafe, unheard, or controlled, please know this:
Your life matters.
Your safety matters.
Your story matters.
Reaching out for help is not weakness.
It is courage, and you don’t have to do it alone.
FREE OR LOW-COST COUNSELLING (CONFIDENTIAL)
Mid Ulster Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (MACP)
Supporting anyone affected by domestic abuse, women, men, teenagers, and families.
We are based in Coalisland, and our address is:
MACP
137 Annagher Road
Coalisland
Co Tyrone
BT71 4NE
YOU CAN CALL US ON 028 8774 6047
Or email us on: info@macpni.org
Or visit our website at: https://www.mid-ulstercounselling.co.uk/
There is hope. There is help.
You deserve to feel safe! So please, contact us today!!
