Reported domestic abuse cases up 8% in Scotland

Published on Tuesday 24 November 2009 12:13

THE number of cases of domestic abuse recorded by police increased by 8% last year, figures revealed today.

Statistics published by the Scottish Government showed that police forces across Scotland recorded a total of 53,681 incidents in 2008-09.

That is up from the previous year, when the number of incidents totalled 49,655.

And it is just over 10,000 more than the figure from four years ago, with 43,632 incidents of domestic abuse recorded in 2004-05.

Statistics for 2008-09 revealed that cases where a woman reported being the victim of abuse from a man accounted for 84% of incidents – a total of 44,748.

But just under 14% of cases involved a male victim who was abused by a woman, with there being 7,336 such incidents last year.

This compares to 8% of cases involving a man being abused by a woman in 2000-01.

A total of 55% of all domestic abuse incidents last year were classed as either being an offence or a crime by police.

These included 16 homicides and 128 cases of sexual assault, as well as 12,518 minor assaults and 9,650 breaches of the peace.

The figures also revealed that there were 74 cases of domestic abuse recorded last year where the victim was under the age of 16 – up from 48 in 2007-08.

In 71 of these cases the victim was a girl under the age of 16, while three cases involved boys.

However there were also 27 cases of domestic abuse where the perpetrator was under the age of 16.

The figures do not reveal the actual level of domestic abuse, as not all incidents are reported to the police.

But the statistics showed higher levels incidents of domestic abuse were recorded at the weekends, with nearly 40% of all cases in 2008-09 occurring on either a Saturday or Sunday.

And 61% of victims had previously experienced domestic abuse – up from 54% in 2007-08.

Communities Minister Alex Neil said: "It is encouraging that police forces are cracking down on these despicable crimes.

"We've done a lot of work to raise awareness that this behaviour is totally unacceptable and that help is available. "

He continued: "We hope that the continued rise in incidents being reported shows that more people are now coming forward, safe in the knowledge that they will be supported.

"We are also investing millions to support initiatives which help people to get their lives back on track and look forward to a brighter future."