2026 marks the fifth anniversary of the Domestic Abuse Act becoming law in the UK. The introduction of the Act was widely recognised as a landmark moment in the response to domestic abuse and put in place dedicated legislation to improve protections for survivors, strengthen the response to perpetrators and increase the wider understanding of what domestic abuse really is.
For organisations such as Leeway, the Act represented an important step forward. In the five years since, it has put domestic abuse firmly on the national agenda and increased recognition of the experience of adults, children and young people who have been affected by abuse.
One of the most significant achievements of the Domestic Abuse Act was the introduction of a legal definition of domestic abuse, something that has helped us move away from the misconception that domestic abuse is only physical.
Domestic abuse can include:
Recognising these different forms of abuse in law has provided much greater clarity for survivors, professionals, services and the wider public.
It has been a crucial distinction because abuse is not always visible from the outside and it has helped people recognise what is happening so that they can seek support.
Another major step forward was the recognition of children as victims in their own right. Children were previously described as “witnesses” to abuse - something that failed to fully acknowledge the harm that can be caused by living in a home where abuse is taking place.
Recognising that experiencing the effects of domestic abuse is abuse in its own right was an incredibly important change. Domestic abuse can leave a lasting impact on children and young people, affecting their emotional wellbeing, sense of safety, relationships, confidence and development.
The Domestic Abuse Act has put a much greater emphasis on ensuring that children and young people who have experienced domestic abuse receive the support that they need - because children do not simply observe domestic abuse. They experience it.
Alongside those definitions, the Act also introduced a number of other important measures, including:
These steps have helped to not only strengthen the legal and practical response to domestic abuse, but also sent a clear message that abuse should be taken seriously. Survivors deserve protection and perpetrators must be held accountable.
We strongly believe that the Domestic Abuse Act has helped to improve awareness and recognition of domestic abuse. It has also created stronger foundations for change and created a much clearer framework from which organisations, professionals and survivors can work.
While the Act was an important milestone and we have taken great steps forward in the past five years, legislation alone will never solve domestic abuse. The reality facing survivors and specialist services remains extremely challenging.
Statistics show that the number of reports of domestic abuse against women and girls continues to rise. So much so that it is regularly described as a national emergency. Behind every statistic are real people who need safety, advice, advocacy, accommodation, and long-term support.
One of the biggest barriers to providing that support is the current level of pressure on services. In their most recent Domestic Abuse report, Women’s Aid highlighted that:
The findings of that report demonstrate the gap that continues to exist between the recognition of domestic abuse and the level of resourcing provided to ensure that services can adequately respond to it.
Specialist domestic abuse services desperately need a sustainable, long-term source of funding to ensure that they can continue to support survivors safely and effectively. Without it, they are faced with the challenge of trying to meet ever increasing needs with limited capacity.
Women’s Aid has repeatedly called for increased investment in specialist services, estimating that around £400 million could save the public purse an estimated £4 billion every year. More importantly, it would help ensure that survivors and their children can access support when they need it most.
In recent years, further legislation and strategies have attempted to build on the Domestic Abuse Act. The Online Safety Act became law in 2023, with the aim of making the internet and social media safer, particularly for young people and those experiencing abuse online.
The Government has also introduced a wider Violence Against Women and Girls strategy, setting out measures to support survivors and tackle abuse. Increased focus on healthy relationship education for young people and embedding specialists in sectors such as health and policing are welcome steps.
However, the consensus across the sector is that these measures must go further if the Government is to meet its ambition of halving violence against women and girls within the next decade.
As part of the fifth anniversary of the Domestic Abuse Act, the Government launched a consultation to gather views from specialists on how effective the legislation has been and where further improvements may be needed.
We welcome this opportunity and hope the feedback leads to stronger protections, better support, and greater investment across the sector.
At Leeway, we will continue to work alongside national and local organisations to ensure survivors’ voices are heard. We will keep raising awareness, supporting adults, children and young people affected by domestic abuse, and campaigning for the changes still needed.
Five years on from the Domestic Abuse Act, progress should be recognised. But it must also be built upon. Survivors deserve more than acknowledgement. They deserve safety, support, and the chance to build a future free from abuse.
