Shocking Study Uncovers Public's Dangerous Misconceptions About Domestic Violence
A groundbreaking new study from domestic violence charity Refuge has exposed alarming gaps in public understanding about where women face the greatest danger. The research reveals a disturbing disconnect between statistical reality and public perception regarding women's safety in their own homes.
The Stark Reality Behind Closed Doors
While 85% of UK adults believe most people feel safe in their own homes, the data tells a completely different story. More than two million women suffered domestic abuse in the year to March 2025 alone. During that same period, 75 women were killed by a current or former partner, with even more victims taking their own lives.
The statistics are particularly chilling when comparing risks: women are more than seven times more likely to be killed by a current or former partner than by a stranger. This makes the home environment statistically far more dangerous for women than public spaces that people typically perceive as risky.
Public Perception Versus Statistical Reality
The YouGov poll, conducted on behalf of Refuge, shows that despite 57% of UK adults acknowledging that women are most at risk behind closed doors, significant misconceptions persist. When asked where women are most commonly abused:
- 14% cited outdoor public spaces such as parks
- 10% said in the street
- 5% said on public transport
- 4% suggested in the workplace
- 10% were unsure
These responses highlight how deeply ingrained the misconception is that danger primarily comes from strangers in public spaces, rather than from intimate partners within the supposed safety of home.
The Hidden Nature of Modern Abuse
The most common form of domestic abuse experienced by victims in the last year was emotional abuse by a partner or ex-partner. This often takes the form of coercive control, which can include:
- Threats and intimidation
- Humiliation and manipulation
- Psychological 'gaslighting' techniques
- Isolation from friends and family
- Constant monitoring or controlling daily activities
The survey also reveals significant gaps in awareness about how abuse is evolving with technology. Four in ten adults (42%) report having heard nothing about abusers using smart devices to monitor, manipulate, or control victims, while only 6% say they know a lot about this modern form of abuse.
Refuge's Powerful Campaign Confronts the Crisis
Gemma Sherrington, CEO of Refuge, emphasized the urgency of addressing these misconceptions: 'Too often we are taught to fear strangers, when the reality is that the most dangerous place for a woman is often her own home. This survey shows a public belief in safety that masks a deadly truth. Abuse happens behind closed doors – and for too many women, it is fatal.'
Refuge has launched a powerful new campaign titled 'Home is Where the Hurt Is' that subverts the familiar 'house tour' content popular on social media. The campaign gradually reveals subtle but unsettling signs of abuse within domestic settings, aiming to educate the public about the hidden nature of domestic violence.
Refuge Ambassador Sharon Gaffka added: 'I hope this campaign helps people recognise the warning signs of abuse in their communities and empowers more women to seek help. No woman should ever feel unsafe in her own home.'
The Scale of the National Emergency
The statistics paint a devastating picture of domestic abuse in the UK:
- One in four women experience domestic abuse in their lifetime
- It takes an average of seven attempts for a woman to leave an abusive relationship for good
- Police record a domestic abuse incident every 40 seconds
- Less than 20% of women who experience partner abuse report it to police
- 84% of domestic abuse victims are women, while 93% of defendants are male
- Disabled women are twice as likely to experience domestic abuse
Refuge describes domestic abuse as 'a crisis hiding in plain sight' and is calling for urgent, sustained funding for specialist services to support survivors and save lives. The charity's National Domestic Abuse Helpline remains available 24/7 at 0808 2000 247 for free, confidential support.
