One in two cases of domestic violence in Kent were discontinued because the victim withdrew their support for a prosecution, according to the latest figures.

Police confirmed out of 19,461 crimes reported last year 9,775 (50.23%) never made it to court as a result.

Another 4,983 cases (25.6%) were discontinued in 2016 due to evidential difficulties.

Scroll down for audio

Law firm Simpson Millar, which obtained the figures through a Freedom of Information request, says the research brings to light how frequently women especially find themselves unable to provide evidence, or to support a charge and prosecution due to fears about their personal safety and that of their children.

Emma Pearmaine, director of family services at Simpson Millar, said: “Victims, and women especially, are often either unable to provide evidence about their abuse, or decide to withdraw what evidence they have presented, because they feel coming forward will put themselves, their children and family members at significant risk of serious harm.

“More resources are needed to identify alternative avenues of collecting evidence and building a case against abusers without putting the victim at risk.

“This is a challenge, I know, but one which must be addressed in the face of these latest figures.”

Ms Pearmaine, who has been campaigning on behalf of domestic violence victims for five years, said victims of domestic violence live in an intricate and harrowing matrix of lies and fear, which they often cannot escape from without help of police and other professionals.

“Officers who deal with domestic abuse have a challenging job these crimes are complex, sometimes subtle and often difficult to identify,” she said.

“Domestic violence crimes come in many shades of grey and these figures tell us that more resources and more training for officers is required so that additional crimes result in a formal charge.

“The first formal accusation of domestic violence is rarely the first incidence.

"Victims often decide to withdraw evidence because they feel coming forward will put themselves, their children and family members at risk of serious harm" - Emma Pearmaine

“Victims who live with their abuser are particularly vulnerable and at risk of further harm after they have reported the violence.

“All victims need a huge amount of practical and emotional support to maintain the accusation through to a prosecution.”

Polly Neate, chief executive of Women's Aid, said: “We know that not all survivors of domestic abuse want a criminal justice outcome.

“However, what these figures show is that, for those who do, there is still a very real culture of victim-blaming and fear that stops survivors from accessing justice.

“We also know that there is a significantly heightened risk for women in the first year after separation from a perpetrator – therefore, robust support and protection is needed during that time.

“With two women a week on average being killed by a partner or ex-partner in England and Wales, it is vital that we take these findings seriously.”

Detective Superintendent Susie Harper, head of Kent Police’s public protection unit, said domestic abuse perpetrators are often dealt with in other ways - with a charge being one of 20 possible outcomes.

She said: "Domestic abuse is a complex, abhorrent and sometimes hidden crime with no easy solutions.

"We encourage officers and staff to take the time to understand what is really going on, listen to victims and children when they speak or display signs of abuse and to also look for signs of coercion or control.

"We have invested significantly in both the training of staff and quality assuring our response to domestic abuse, and ensure the focus is upon doing the right thing for the victim and the wider family."

She added: "With domestic abuse incidents, officers can sometimes find a victim does not wish to support a prosecution but is instead looking for another intervention such as support for themselves or their partner in changing their behaviour."