First teenage suicide linked to domestic abuse recorded in police data

"Police forces across the UK have recorded an increasing number of suicides linked to domestic abuse, accounting for 38 percent of abuse-related deaths in the last five years."

"People are now much more likely to access violent pornography which normalises violence and behaviour in a relationship, and particularly non-fatal strangulation, which is hugely dangerous."

"A change in practice last year requires police officers to check for a history of domestic abuse at the scene of suicides and unexpected deaths, which has led to an increase in investigations and charges post-death."

"Between April 2020 and March 2025, there were 1,452 deaths of this nature, with 641 characterised as homicide and 552 being recorded as a suicide due to the impact of domestic abuse."

The rise in domestic abuse cases among 16 to 19-year-olds has led to increased reports of suicides linked to these incidents. In the last year, there were 150 suspected cases of abuse victims ending their lives, with a significant portion of these cases involving individuals under 18. Police have noted a connection between online violent pornography and the normalization of abusive behaviors. Over five years, 38 percent of abuse-related deaths were suicides, with women predominantly affected. New police practices have led to more investigations into suicides related to domestic abuse.

Read at www.independent.co.uk