Providing a clearer picture of child abuse
Child abuse is appalling in all its forms and affects some of the most vulnerable in society, but it is…
Read more on Providing a clearer picture of child abuse Providing a better understanding of domestic abuse
The way domestic abuse manifests is constantly changing. Because of this and legislative changes, the ONS has undertaken a user engagement, research and testing programme to ensure our statistics continue to provide the most accurate information and meet the needs of users. Meghan Elkin explains how a new set of survey questions for the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) has been developed to give a better understanding of domestic abuse.
Read more on Providing a better understanding of domestic abuseUnderstanding the impact of the pandemic on crime
The impact of lockdown restrictions on levels of crime is one of the lesser told stories of the coronavirus pandemic. With large parts of the population asked to stay in their homes, so-called traditional crimes such as burglary and robbery decreased. However, this was offset by rises in fraud as criminals exploited changing behaviours and more reliance of online and phone services. Meghan Elkin explains how the first comparable figures to before the pandemic help us understand whether there are sustained impacts on levels of crime.
Read more on Understanding the impact of the pandemic on crimeA better understanding of the scale of domestic abuse during the pandemic
The Office for National Statistics has been working to bring together data sources to provide the best understanding of the scale of domestic abuse, sexual offences and violence against women and girls. However, the impact of the pandemic on survey collection has meant a data gap in understanding the sheer prevalence of these crimes. The ONS has now published its first estimates of domestic abuse and sexual assault in two years. Meghan Elkin explains why a note of caution should be taken in interpreting these statistics.
Read more on A better understanding of the scale of domestic abuse during the pandemicViolence against women and girls: Helping to understand the scale and impact of the problem
Crimes which disproportionately affect women and girls, such as sexual violence, domestic abuse, and stalking have devastating consequences. Meghan Elkin explains how the Office for National Statistics has worked collaboratively across government and with charities to produce its first analytical article on this important topic, highlighting not only the scale and severity of the problem, but also where there are evidence gaps.
Read more on Violence against women and girls: Helping to understand the scale and impact of the problem