Hidden toll: domestic abuse suicides may dwarf official counts in England and Wales

Experts say suicides linked to domestic abuse in England and Wales are vastly undercounted, with Kent research suggesting as many as 1,500 such deaths annually—far higher than the 2024 NPCC figure of 98 suspected cases. Campaigners blame narrow official criteria and gaps in multi-agency investigations, urging all suspected cases be treated as potential homicides to preserve evidence and improve protection for victims. While a few prosecutions have occurred, many cases see no charges, prompting calls for a national taskforce and systemic reform to ensure accountability and prevent deaths in the first place.