At First Light, we support people of all ages and genders affected by domestic abuse and sexual violence.
We welcome public discourse that highlights the prevalence of abuse, but we are deeply concerned by the framing of the recent Guardian article linking domestic abuse reports to those arrested during the 2024 UK riots.
While the statistic that “two in five” individuals arrested had been reported for domestic abuse is alarming, it is crucial to approach such data with care and context.
Domestic abuse is a widespread societal issue that cuts across all demographics, age, gender, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. Suggesting a causal link between participation in civil unrest and a propensity for abuse risks reinforcing harmful stereotypes and obscuring the broader reality: abuse is not confined to any one “type” of person.
The Danger of Narrow Narratives
Framing domestic abuse as disproportionately associated with individuals involved in riots or from specific communities can:
- Perpetuate stigma against already marginalised groups.
- Obscure the reality that domestic abuse is often underreported, especially among men, LGBTQ+ individuals, older people, and those from minority ethnic backgrounds.
- Divert attention from the systemic and cultural factors that enable abuse across all sectors of society.
The Reality of Reporting and Underreporting
Data from services like ours shows that many survivors never report abuse to the police. Barriers include fear, shame, lack of trust in authorities, and cultural or financial constraints. Conversely, being “reported” for abuse does not equate to guilt or conviction. Without this nuance, statistics risk being misinterpreted and weaponised.
A Call for Responsible Journalism
We urge media outlets to consider the broader implications of how they present data on domestic abuse. Responsible journalism should:
- Contextualise statistics within the wider landscape of abuse.
- Avoid reinforcing stereotypes or implying causality without evidence.
- Amplify the voices of survivors from all backgrounds.
At First Light, we remain committed to supporting all survivors and challenging the myths that allow abuse to persist in silence. We invite journalists, policymakers, and the public to work with us in building a more informed, inclusive, and compassionate response to domestic abuse.
Guardian Article: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/jul/26/two-in-five-arrested-for-last-summers-uk-riots-had-been-reported-for-domestic-abuse