Written question asked by Paul Flynn (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 16 July 1997. It was answered by Alun Michael (Labour) on Wednesday, 16 July 1997 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: What plans he has for the recording of figures on domestic violence as a separate category within official crime statistics.

Answer: Mr. Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for the recording of figures on domestic violence as a separate category within official crime statistics. [8803] Mr. Michael: Domestic violence is not a legally defined offence and the police are not currently required separately to identify domestic violence incidents in their statistical returns to the Home Office or to record the relationship between victim and offender. Crimes of domestic violence, if they reach the courts, could be prosecuted as threatening behaviour, affray, common assault, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, wounding or inflicting grievous bodily harm, indecent assault, rape or attempted rape, threats to kill, attempted murder, manslaughter or murder. For this reason it is difficult to assess centrally exactly how many cases of domestic violence occur in England and Wales. However, Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary collects some statistics on domestic violence and many police forces have their own arrangements for doing so. Other sources, such as the British Crime Survey, also provide useful statistical data on domestic violence. Along with my colleagues in the Home Office and in other Government Departments, I am currently examining all the policies operating in the area of domestic violence, including the collection of statistics.

Secondary information