‘Cause for concern’ as one in six is abused by their partner

ALMOST one in six adults have been abused by their partners, the Scottish Crime and Justice Survey found.

Of those, one quarter went on to form abusive relationships later, the survey said.

The figures related to people who have had at least one partner since they were 16.

Three per cent said they had suffered some form of abuse over the past 12 months, but a quarter of those – mostly men – did not tell anyone about what had happened.

Just under a quarter of the 3 per cent said the abuse was “just something that happens”.

Health secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: “Domestic abuse is completely unacceptable, and the Scottish Government continues to work with key partners to bring about an end to this intolerable crime.

“Last year we introduced a new offence of engaging in threatening or abusive behaviour to give greater protection to victims of domestic abuse, and send out the message: if you carry out this offence, you will be met with by the full force of law.”

The figures have been met with concern by campaigners.

A Scottish Women’s Aid spokeswoman said: “The statistics show little change in the numbers of women experiencing partner abuse, and this in itself gives us cause for concern.

“The statistics show year on year that victims of domestic abuse are most likely to tell a friend, rather than the police, a Women’s Aid group or other agency.”