A disturbing report from the charity Refuge exposes a critical gap in the UK's understanding of domestic abuse: the pervasive and often invisible threat of post-separation abuse. The data reveals that while the public acknowledges the risk of abuse within relationships, they drastically underestimate the danger posed by former partners, underscoring a societal failure to protect women from ongoing harm.

Refuge's helpline data paints a stark picture. A staggering 42% of callers identify their former partner as the abuser, revealing that separation does not guarantee safety for many women. This statistic challenges the common misconception that abuse ends when a relationship does.

The YouGov survey commissioned by Refuge further highlights the problem. While 71% of UK adults recognize that women are most likely to be abused by someone they know, only a meager 12% identify an ex-partner as the most likely abuser. This vast discrepancy reveals a dangerous blind spot in public perception, potentially hindering prevention and intervention efforts.

Sasha*, a survivor of post-separation abuse, vividly illustrates the insidious nature of this form of violence. Separated from her partner since 2012, she endured relentless stalking and harassment, with her ex-partner weaponizing their child and family events to maintain control. Her experience underscores the devastating impact of post-separation abuse on women's lives.

The criminalization of coercive and controlling behavior in 2015 and the subsequent Domestic Abuse Act 2021, which specifically addresses post-separation abuse, represent important steps forward. However, these legal frameworks are insufficient if public awareness and understanding remain limited. The fact that Sasha's stalking continued even after she moved highlights the challenges in enforcing these laws and protecting victims.

Sasha's experience of her ex-partner using metadata from photos to geolocate her new home is a chilling example of how technology can be weaponized in post-separation abuse. This incident underscores the need for greater awareness of digital stalking and the development of strategies to protect victims from this evolving form of abuse.

Charlotte Eastop, senior operations manager at Refuge, rightly points out the under-recognition of post-separation abuse as a significant issue. She highlights the ways in which abusers exploit children and manipulate family court systems to maintain control, further victimizing women long after the relationship has ended. The subtle ways in which abusers "constantly and subtly bend" court orders can have a massive impact on a victim's life.