Charities warn the government is 'not on track' to halve violence against women as domestic abuse victims hit 4.7 million

Partner abuse drove the surge, with 7.9% of adults in England and Wales targeted, up from 6.1% a year earlier. Overall, 9.6% of over-16s suffered domestic abuse, up from 7.8%. The Office for National Statistics insists the jump reflects 'real change', not just survey tweaks. Refuge's Alice Russell-Harris says the pledge is 'simply not achievable' without long-term funding.

Victim Support chief Katie Kempen calls the rise 'a stark wake-up call'.

Around 1.9 million adults were stalked and about one million sexually victimised.

Refuge says it is 'yet to see a financial commitment' matching the scale needed.