Increasing numbers of women are experiencing domestic abuse at Christmas, with social isolation and the cost-of-living crisis. 

Refuge, the leading support service in England, said calls and contacts to the national domestic abuse helpline in 2023 were still far higher than pre-pandemic, with 171,490 calls in the year ending March 2023. 

The charity is warning that Christmas, when there are always more incidents of domestic abuse, presents specific challenges such as social isolation and increased costs that are compounded by the cost-of-living crisis. 

Women's Aid, which is running a winter appeal, said it was anticipating the 15% rise it usually saw immediately after the festive period.

Refuge's Interim CEO Ellen Miller said: "It's vital that we take seriously the very real threat that domestic abuse continues to pose to women throughout the country and recognise it as the serious crime that it is. 

"The bleak fact remains that on average two women per week are killed by a current or former partner and 1 in 4 women will be impacted by domestic abuse in their lifetimes." 

Domestic abuse is any incident of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are or have been intimate partners or family members, regardless of their gender of sexuality. The abuse can be psychological and emotional, violent or threatening behaviour, physical and sexual, controlling or coercive behaviour and economic abuse.  

Victims often do not realise they are being abused. We are asking everyone to look out for their friends, neighbours and family members, and to reach out to them if it is safe to do or seek advice from the National Domestic Violence Helpline. 

Miller added: "Every two minutes someone turns to Refuge for support, and we are still seeing incredibly high demand. Refuge's services are a lifeline for thousands of women seeking safety during some of the darkest moments of their lives. We urge those that can support our Christmas appeal at refuge.org.uk" 

The charity, which is running a Christmas appeal, noted that data presents only a small of the issue the issue as so much abuse is unreported. It has calculated that domestic abuse affects one in four women in their lifetimes, with two women a week killed by a current or former partner, and three dying by suicide. On average, it takes a woman seven attempts to leave an abusive partner for good.

.Find out more information about domestic abuse and the support services available.