Domestic violence is increasing because of the economic pressure, according to research carried out by the National Police Force and quoted in the Volkskrant.

Increased financial stress is acting as a catalysator, with an average of 56 people being banned from their homes every week, the Volkskrant says.

One in ten domestic violence incidents concerns 12 to 24-year-olds abusing their parents. The police say this is a growing problem which can partly be explained by the fact that many young people are living at home for longer because of the economic situation.

There is also more abuse of people over the age of 66. Violence and financial exploitation by children, grand-children and carers are growing. ‘For instance, a child or a carer will offer to help with pinning and then add a sum of money for themselves,’ Jannine van den Berg of the National Police Force told the Volkskrant.

In 75% of cases the victim is a woman. Nine out of ten abusers are men.

Violence between couples is also a growing problem. Van den Berg says this is often because couples cannot afford to divorce and are forced to continue sharing the family home.

The research shows that over one million Dutch people are the victim of domestic violence. In 20% of the cases, the violence is ‘serious and causes damage’. Every year around 50 people die from domestic violence. That is one-third of all murders and manslaughters in the Netherlands.