Refuge stories rise in violent threats and strangulation amongst younger folks

• 73% of younger survivors report psychological abuse  

• Threats to kill or hurt on the rise 

• Reports of strangulation and suffocation up 9% 

• Refuge requires pressing reform to home abuse schooling in faculties 

New information from Refuge’s help companies reveals a disturbing rise in home abuse amongst younger girls and women aged 16 – 25, significantly involving psychological abuse, coercive management and bodily violence. 

Among younger survivors who acquired longer-term help (which means they selected to interact past one-off contact or data) between 2024 – 2025, psychological abuse was probably the most generally reported type of hurt, affecting 73% of 842 people. Within that group, six in 10 stated they’d skilled coercive management – a sample of behaviour designed to isolate, manipulate and intimidate.  

Almost half (49%) of those that reported psychological abuse stated their perpetrator had threatened to hurt them – a 4% rise from the earlier 12 months. Shockingly, an additional 35% stated their abuser had threatened to kill them, marking a 3% improve 12 months on 12 months.  

Physical abuse was additionally extra prevalent throughout this era, significantly non-fatal strangulation and/or suffocation. Of the 62% (525 people) who reported bodily violence, half stated they’d been strangled or suffocated – up a terrifying 9% from 2023-2024. This type of assault will not be solely extremely harmful but additionally a well-established predictor of future home murder.  

Overall, younger folks made up 16% (2,857 out of 17,607) of latest referrals to the home abuse charity’s companies between 2024 – 2025.  

To deal with home abuse amongst younger folks, Refuge has lengthy advocated for complete schooling on wholesome relationships. It welcomed the most recent Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) steering from the Department for Education, which is able to assist younger folks recognise warning indicators – particularly much less seen types of abuse equivalent to coercive management. 

However, there stays a major hole in service provisions for younger folks. The Government’s upcoming Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Strategy should strengthen devoted help companies so that each younger survivor can entry the help they deserve. 

Lisa*, a survivor of home abuse, stated: 

“The abuse I skilled began off with what appeared like little issues. He’d say issues like, ‘I don’t need you to hang around with this individual,’ or ‘if you love me, you’ll do what I’m telling you. I’m simply attempting to look out for you.’ And then it simply escalated from there. At the varsity I went to, I used to be by no means taught about abusive relationships – it was very a lot a taboo topic. So, for me, I didn’t know how one can break that cycle till I used to be about 21.  

“We really need to find a way to talk about domestic abuse and coercive control in schools that isn’t judgemental, and these conversations need to involve everyone – boys and girls – so young people understand what abusive behaviour looks like. I have young nieces and nephews, and I never want to see them go through what I did.” 

Marnie*, one other survivor, stated:  

“My abusive relationship began at college. He needed to see me on a regular basis, which, at first, I assumed was very nice – however then he remoted me from my family and friends. He started controlling what I wore and what I did, and even made me put on a hoop on my wedding ceremony finger so it seemed like I used to be ‘taken’. Eventually, the abuse grew to become bodily.  

“Better awareness of healthy relationships and what the red flags are could really help young people – because I had no idea what a healthy relationship was supposed to look like. We also need much more awareness of the fact that abuse is not always physical, because that’s often what held me back from seeking support.”  

Earlier this 12 months, analysis commissioned by Refuge discovered that solely 1 / 4 of UK adults (26%) are conscious that 1 in 4 girls will expertise home abuse of their lifetime. Awareness is especially low amongst younger folks – solely 57% of 18-24-year-olds recognised that sharing intimate pictures of somebody with out their consent constitutes abuse, in comparison with 88% of over-55s.   

In response, Refuge unveiled a robust consciousness marketing campaign on International Women’s Day, putting in round 100 bodily crimson flags – mirrored by a whole bunch extra on digital screens – at Outernet London. Aimed at exposing the often-hidden crimson flags in relationships with abusive companions, every flag displayed an actual quote from a survivor, symbolising the customarily unseen, untold, unreported and unrecognised nature of home abuse. 

Refuge is urgently calling for larger consciousness of the warning indicators of abuse – particularly amongst younger folks, a gaggle too typically missed regardless of experiencing alarmingly excessive charges of home abuse. With the Government having made an formidable pledge to halve violence in opposition to girls and women (VAWG) within the subsequent decade, schooling should be a core factor of preventative measures. 

Gemma Sherrington, CEO of Refuge, stated: 

“Domestic abuse typically goes unnoticed, but these new figures reveal the harrowing actuality: many younger lives are being devastated by this horrific crime. Young persons are dealing with unacceptably excessive ranges of psychological abuse and coercive management – which will be simply as damaging as bodily violence – but when these survivors are missed, they might be not sure the place to show for help or how one can recognise the warning indicators.  

“Refuge’s incredible team supports thousands of young survivors every year, but to actively tackle domestic abuse, there must be a major societal shift towards improved education that shines a light on the many red flags of abuse. Prevention is our most powerful tool, and only by empowering all young people with knowledge, confidence, and support can we ensure they grow up free from abuse.” 

*Survivor names have been modified to guard their anonymity. 

Notes on Data: 

• The 2024 – 2025 information covers 1st April 2024 – 31st March 2025. 

• The 2023 – 2024 comparative information covers 1st April 2023 – 31st March 2024. 

The companies coated on this information are Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs), outreach, floating help and resettlement, and refuge lodging. 

Short-term purchasers are those that obtain one-off help from Refuge—equivalent to referrals to counsellors or assist with security planning—however select to not proceed with additional help. Long-term purchasers are those that request and obtain ongoing help past this preliminary help.