Marriage Linked to Lower Domestic Violence Rates, New Data Shows
In a new revelation, data from the Office for National Statistics highlights that marriage might be a significant factor in reducing the likelihood of experiencing domestic violence. The statistics indicate that marriage halves this risk compared to other familial setups.
Approximately 3.8 million adults in England and Wales, equating to nearly seven percent, reportedly suffered from domestic abuse in the year ending March 2025.
The analysis of family structures in abuse cases reveals that married individuals constitute the lowest percentage, with only 4.4 percent of victims being married.
Conversely, more than a third, or 39 percent, of abuse cases involved individuals who were either separated or divorced, while 8.8 percent were among those cohabiting. This data underscores that marriage could be the safest relationship option, contrary to the belief that it harbors oppression and abuse.
Domestic abuse poses lethal threats, particularly to children. A study published in Pediatrics found that children living with an unrelated adult face a fifty-fold increased risk of being killed compared to those living with both biological parents.
The gravity of this issue was starkly highlighted during the Covid lockdowns when several children and infants, including Arthur Labinjo-Hughes, Lola James, Star Hobson, Finley Boden, Jacob Crouch, Logan Mwangi, Harvey Borrington, and Sebastian Kalinowski, were tragically killed. In nearly all cases, a stepparent or partner was implicated.
Dr. Tony Rucinski from the Coalition for Marriage commented on the data, challenging the prevalent narrative that marriage is inherently oppressive.
“For years a ‘gendered narrative’ has heavily shaped the official debate on domestic violence, painting the traditional family as dangerous and ‘patriarchy’ as the root of abuse. That dogma is not just misleading, it is dangerous. The official figures tell a very different story, one that points back to real marriage,” he said.
Research also indicates the crucial role of a father’s presence as a positive influence for boys, potentially reducing the likelihood of them engaging in domestic violence as adults.
Dr. Rucinski further stated, “Good fathers are not decorative. They are one of the most powerful long‑term protections against violence we know about … Marriage between one man and one woman, lived out in faithfulness, quietly teaches sons how to be men and daughters what to expect from men.”
He concluded, “The hard numbers are pushing back towards a very old truth. On average, the safest place for women is a stable marriage to a man who keeps his promises. The safest place for men and for children is the same.”
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
