Nearly 30,000 seek help for domestic abuse in Yorkshire

There may be many more people who are suffering in silence.

Professionals working in the field estimate the extent of domestic and sexual abuse is widely under-reported, with victims often unwilling to reveal to relatives, friends, agencies or the authorities what is happening to them.

The current domestic abuse strategy plan for York and North Yorkshire, estimates there are 32,500 adults suffering domestic abuse in its area alone.  

As well as its Yorkshire-wide domestic abuse service, IDAS provides an independent sexual violence advisor service in North Yorkshire, which in 2025 supported 507 adults and 198 children and young people, with 27 per cent being aged between 16 and 20. Two per cent were aged 65 or over.

Its chief executive officer Sarah Hill said: “We know that long-term change can only be achieved when communities are equipped to recognise the causes and impacts of abuse and so we have strengthened our whole-community approach, embedding specialist support in everyday settings and building partnerships that extend far beyond traditional service boundaries.

“We believe that everyone has the right to live a fulfilled life, free from abuse and violence and we want to ensure that this is a reality for those we support today and for future generations.”

In 2025, the charity worked with the Mayor of York and North Yorkshire and survivors of domestic abuse in rural areas to run campaigns, train volunteer coordinators to act as champions in their areas and attend rural roadshows to bring support closer to where domestic abuse occurs.  

It also started initiatives to help those in military families or surroundings.

IDAS (Independent Domestic Abuse Service) provides help for those suffering from violent, emotional, coercive and other domestic abuse across Yorkshire. 

In 2025, in addition to 29,513 calls to its helpline, IDAS also managed 20,762 referrals and responded to 1,952 online chats on its website, its 2025 impact report reveals.

It trained 12,805 professionals and champions of survivors of domestic and sexual abuse, supported 8,014 adults and children and provided accommodation for 318 adults and children.