February 17, 2025 | Incident and Crime Statistics , Crime Statistics
Request Number: FOI/13650
Category: Incident and Crime Statistics - Victim
Subject: Domestic Abuse
Your request for information has now been considered. In respect of Section 1(1)(a) of the Act we can confirm that the Police Service of Northern Ireland does hold information to which your request relates. The decision has been taken not to supply the information you have requested and the reasons for this are set out in more detail below. We have also provided you with links to guidance issued by the Information Commissioner’s Office which we have followed in responding to your request.
Request 1
Please provide the number of cases of domestic abuse each year from 2020 to 2025 split by gender.
Answer
Section 17(1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 requires the Police Service of Northern Ireland, when refusing to provide such information (because the information is exempt) to provide you the applicant with a notice which:
a. states that fact,
b. specifies the exemption in question and
c. states (if not otherwise apparent) why the exemption applies.
The exemptions, as well as the factors the Department considered when deciding where the public interest lies, are listed below:
Section 21 - Information Reasonably Accessible by Other Means
Section 22 – Information Intended for Future Publication
Section 21
Information on the gender breakdown of domestic abuse crimes is available from 2004/05 to 2023/24 in the spreadsheet which accompanies our annual Trends in Domestic Abuse Incidents and Crimes bulletin. Additionally, the gender breakdown of domestic abuse crimes is published in the spreadsheet which accompanies our quarterly Domestic Abuse Update bulletins. Each bulletin covers the preceding 24 months.
The next bulletin, covering the period up to 31st December 2024, will be published on 27th February 2025. These publications are available on the PSNI website:
https://www.psni.police.uk/about-us/our-publications-and-reports/official-statistics/domestic-abuse-statistics
Section 22
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 22 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 it has been decided to refuse access to the information you have requested. Under Section 22 (1) of the Act the Police
Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) is not obliged to disclose information that is held with a view to its publication at some future date.
The next bulletin, covering the period up to 31st December 2024, will be published on 27th February 2025.
Section 22 is a qualified exemption so therefore the PSNI is obliged to carry out a Public Interest
Test.
Public Interest Test
Factors Favouring Release
Disclosure would demonstrate PSNI’s openness and transparency.
Factors Favouring Retention
The spending of additional funds in order to facilitate this FOI request would not be in the public interest as this information is due to be released in the near future.
Decision
There needs to be a real and valid reason which identifies a tangible benefit to the public from disclosure of information. As the information is intended to be published at a future date, this year, it is reasonable to exempt it as publication is imminent.
The full text of exemptions can be found at www.legislation.gov.uk and further guidance on how they operate can be located on the Information Commissioners Office website www.ico.org.uk.
Request 2
As well as the outcome of the crime.
Answer 2
Section 17(1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 requires the Police Service of Northern Ireland, when refusing to provide such information (because the information is exempt) to provide you the applicant with a notice which:
a. states that fact,
b. specifies the exemption in question and
c. states (if not otherwise apparent) why the exemption applies.
The exemption is listed below:
Section 21 - Information Reasonably Accessible by Other Means
Section 21
Information on outcomes assigned to domestic abuse crimes is available in both the spreadsheet which accompanies our annual Trends in Domestic Abuse Incidents and Crimes bulletin, and the spreadsheet which accompanies our annual Outcomes in Police Recorded Crime bulletin. The latter bulletin is also available on the PSNI website:
https://www.psni.police.uk/about-us/our-publications-and-reports/official-statistics/police-recorded-crime-statistics
The full text of exemptions can be found at www.legislation.gov.uk and further guidance on how they operate can be located on the Information Commissioners Office website www.ico.org.uk.