Trauma and Domestic Abuse in Wales
Facing the Hidden Crisis
When we talk about trauma in Wales, we are not speaking of something distant or rare. Trauma is not just the result of a single violent act or one isolated incident. It is often the echo of experiences that ripple through a person’s life, shaping the way they feel about themselves, the way they see relationships, and the way they move through the world. In Wales, domestic abuse remains one of the most pressing sources of trauma, and its reach is both wide and devastating.
Recent figures highlight a heartbreaking reality. In England and Wales, around 2.3 million adults experienced domestic abuse in the year ending March 2024. Of these, 1.6 million were women, making clear that women continue to bear the heaviest burden. In Wales specifically, nearly one in ten women aged sixteen and over reported experiencing domestic abuse in just the past year. These are not just statistics; they represent thousands of women in our communities, our towns, our villages each one living with fear, pain, and often silence.
In South Wales alone, more than thirty-two thousand incidents of domestic abuse were reported to police between 2022 and 2023. The numbers are shocking, but they only tell part of the story. Behind each report is a person, often struggling to hold together their family, their finances, or even their sense of self. And for every woman who finds the courage to report, there are many more who remain hidden in the shadows, too afraid, too isolated, or too convinced that they will not be believed.
Trauma does not simply vanish once someone leaves an abusive relationship. It lingers in the nervous system, in the body’s response to everyday stress, in the way trust feels risky and safety feels unfamiliar. Survivors often describe how even the most ordinary parts of life answering the phone, hearing a door slam, or disagreeing with a partner can trigger deep fear. Trauma is not only emotional; it is physiological. It changes the way the brain and body respond, and it can take years of healing before a person begins to feel whole again.
What makes this crisis even more urgent is the increasing recognition that domestic abuse is linked not only to physical harm but also to mental health struggles and, tragically, to suicide. Across the UK, it is now estimated that more women die by suicide as a result of domestic abuse than are killed directly by their partners. In 2024 alone, nearly one hundred women took their own lives where domestic abuse was identified as a contributing factor. This stark truth forces us to see trauma as a public health emergency, one that demands action not only from police and courts but also from health services, schools, and communities.
In Wales, the government has made important steps with legislation such as the Violence Against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (Wales) Act 2015, which requires public bodies to work together to prevent abuse and protect survivors. Yet legislation alone cannot heal trauma. What truly makes a difference is the presence of support systems that can reach women at their most vulnerable moments. Welsh Women’s Aid, through its Live Fear Free Helpline, has been a lifeline for thousands. Last year alone, more than twenty-two thousand people reached out for help through calls, webchats, and texts. Each of those contacts represents someone taking a step sometimes their first towards safety and healing.
But services across Wales are under enormous strain. The demand is growing, while funding is often uncertain. Survivors are frequently faced with waiting lists for counselling or limited access to safe housing. For women with children, the challenges multiply, as leaving an abusive relationship can mean stepping into financial hardship, housing insecurity, and the fear of losing stability for their children. This is why community-based projects and charities are so vital. They offer more than statistics and policies; they offer a hand to hold, a voice on the other end of the phone, a reminder that survivors are not alone.
The trauma caused by domestic abuse is not confined to individuals. It spreads outward, affecting families, workplaces, and even future generations. Children who grow up in households where abuse is present are far more likely to experience trauma themselves, carrying those wounds into adulthood and sometimes repeating cycles they never asked to inherit. To break this pattern, Wales must continue to invest not only in crisis support but also in education, early intervention, and resources that empower women to rebuild their lives in safety and strength.
If you are reading this and you feel the weight of your own experience, it is important to know that support exists and that you are not alone. In the UK, if you are ever in immediate danger, you should dial 999. For non-emergency matters with the police, you can call 101. In Wales, the Live Fear Free Helpline is available 24 hours a day and can be reached on 0808 80 10 800. This free service offers confidential advice and support in both English and Welsh. Nationally, the National Domestic Abuse Helpline is also available at 0808 2000 247. For anyone needing broader emotional support, Victim Support runs a free line at 0808 16 89 111, open around the clock.
Trauma is heavy, but it is not the end of the story. Every call made, every support service accessed, every conversation opened is a step towards change. Wales is facing a crisis, but it is also home to resilience, community, and a growing movement determined to break the cycle of abuse. To all survivors, your story matters. Your healing matters. And your future can be brighter than the past that tried to silence you.