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Rise in domestic abuse figures in Scotland named “appalling” by MSP

Rise in domestic abuse figures in Scotland named “appalling” by MSP

The number of reoffenders also appears to be on the rise, with an estimated 65 per cent of suspected perpetrators having previously been involved in related incidents. Last year, the comparative figure was 64 per cent.

The vast majority of victims were women who were attacked by men, with 90 per cent of incidents taking place in a home setting.

Scottish Conservative MSP Pam Gosal is currently taking a proposed domestic violence bill through parliament.

The Prevention of Domestic Abuse (Scotland) bill would introduce a number of measures, including a register for culprits similar to the sex offenders’ register.

It would also compel offenders to undergo rehabilitation, improve data collection and increase education in relation to domestic abuse.


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Ms Gosal said: “The number of domestic abuse incidents occurring across Scotland is utterly appalling.

“Police recorded an incident every 10 minutes last year, and the problem is getting worse.

“We need urgent action, especially in relation to reoffending and targeting those who abuse again and again.

“These statistics indicate around two-thirds of domestic abuse crimes are committed by those who have done it before. That is an appalling reflection on dealing with those who’ve been guilty of domestic abuse in the past.

“My members’ bill would mean many of those convicted of domestic abuse would face the shame of being put on a register, something that would increase deterrence and place potential victims in a much stronger position.

“It would also support the societal change required, by bringing in more rehabilitation of offenders and rolling out education across the younger generations.

“The vast majority of victims of domestic violence are women who have been attacked by a man they know and often live with.

“We owe it to them to do better on this, and the introduction of my bill would help turn the tide on this deep-rooted and extensive problem.”

The rate of domestic abuse is below the 2020-21 peak but is higher than previous years on record.

Nearly two-fifths (38%) of domestic abuse incidents involved police recording at least one crime or offence.

Common assault was the most common type of offence, accounting for 31% of all crimes recorded.

Crimes against the public accounted for 20% of the crimes, threatening and abusive behaviour accounted for another 20%, and vandalism was 6% of the total.

Following its introduction in 2019, 5% of crime and offences were recorded under the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act.

The law created a new offence around non-physical forms of abuse such as coercive control and where children see, hear or are present during an incident.

Around 51% of domestic abuse incidents in Moray involved recording a crime – the highest in Scotland.

East Dunbartonshire had the least crimes recorded during such incidents at 31%, followed by the Highlands (32%) and Angus (32%).

Across Scotland, there were 116 incidents of domestic abuse recorded per 10,000 of the population, although this varied widely by region.

Dundee had the highest rate of domestic abuse per 10,000 people at 183, while West Dunbartonshire recorded a rate of 154 and West Lothian 149.

Around four in five (81%) of all incidents where gender was recorded involved a female victim and a male perpetrator – the same as the previous two years.

Those aged between 31 and 35 had the highest rates of domestic abuse incidents of any age group, at 267 victims per 10,000 of the population.

Just under a third of incidents (31%) occurred at the weekend in 2023-24. This is a slight decrease from 32% in 2022-23.

In 2023-24, 90% of all domestic abuse incidents where location was recorded occurred in a home or dwelling.

Of the domestic abuse incidents where the relationship between the victim and the suspected perpetrator was known, 50% were between ex-partners.

Around two-thirds (65%) of incidents involved a victim and suspected perpetrator who had previously been recorded in a domestic abuse incident.



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