New research from the For Baby’s Sake Trust estimates that 20,000 cases of domestic abuse are disclosed to maternity services in England every year. The Domestic Abuse Commissioner suggests that 30% of domestic abuse in England and Wales starts during pregnancy, though underreporting means the actual figure is likely higher.
Experts highlight that pregnancy does not cause abuse but can be a context where abusive behaviours increase. These behaviours may include heightened monitoring, isolation from family and friends, financial control, and physical, emotional, or sexual abuse.
Dr. Panos Vythoulkas, a lead perinatal clinical psychologist, notes that the arrival of a baby can be seen as a threat by those who feel entitled to control their partner. This can lead to increased possessiveness and resentment towards the attention given to the pregnancy or the baby.
Refuge, a specialist domestic abuse organisation, reported that 14% of their service users between 2024 and 2025 were pregnant. However, they believe this represents only a fraction of the total, partly because not all healthcare professionals are trained to recognise the signs of abuse.