Rise in referrals for support for domestic abuse

Strengthened domestic abuse laws introduced in early 2023 have "played a part" in a 40% increase in adult referrals to a Manx charity that supports victims of crime.

The number of adults referred to Victim Support in 2024 stood at 608, with 297 of the cases being related to domestic abuse, representing a 52% rise for that offence.

Chief executive Lorna Trevethan said while she did not believe the figures reflected a rise in cases, it showed "we're not accepting abuse as a society".

People were becoming "more willing" to seek support and speak out, and the organisation had also worked to raise awareness of the service it provides, she said.

The Domestic Abuse Act 2020 saw the creation of specific offences relating to domestic abuse and coercive and controlling behaviour.

Ms Trevethan said 195 people had approached the organisation for support in relation to the offence in 2023, rising to 297 last year.

"People don't want to suffer in silence anymore and they want to do something about it and the legislation will have had an impact on that," she said.

"In the past these things were swept under the carpet, now people are more willing to talk about it."

Further updates to legislation in March 2024 introduced specific offences including revenge porn and upskirting.

The Sexual Offences and Obscene Publications Act 2021 also reclassified offences for rape, and child abuse and child exploitation offences, and increased maximum penalties.

Ms Trevethan said the organisation had not "seen the same impact" on the service following those changes, and the team was still waiting to see what the effect on the service would be.

However the team was "really supportive" of the moves as they were "a long time coming", she added.

Overall Victim Support referrals across its services rose 37% from 494 in 2023 to 675 in 2024, which included 67 children and young people.

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