Around two-thirds (63%) of respondents to the annual Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey are likely to tell police they have been a victim of domestic abuse. The proportion falls to 45% in the 18-to-24 age group.
That makes domestic abuse the crime, of those surveyed, least reported to the police. A break-in or burglary is most likely with 88% of those questioned saying they would let law enforcement know about the incident. Next is robbery or theft, such as a mugging, at 83%, then criminal damage (80%), physical assault or violence (72%), sexual abuse or violence (70%), and fraud or scams (65%).
Victims of crime commissioner Geraldine Hanna said: “Many of those who have spoken to me have told me the issues they faced means they would be reluctant to come forward if they became victims again in the future. “These issues include delay, the issues around disclosure of private information, and a system that doesn’t prioritise or protect victim’s rights,” local media quoted her as saying. “They see the problems in our criminal justice system and it damages their confidence that anything will be done if they do come forward.”
She added: “There are good people working hard across our criminal justice system, but there are fundamental changes that are needed,” she added.
A total of 33,071 domestic abuse incidents were reported to the Police Service of Northern Ireland last year, little different from the previous 12 months.
