Children hurt as they try to stop domestic abuse of their parents

ONE in six Scottish adults have been abused by their partners, according to a new survey which has highlighted concerns that more children are also becoming entangled in domestic violence.

Three per cent of respondents to the Scottish Crime and Justice Survey had been physically abused in 2009/10, with two per cent suffering psychological abuse - a slight reduction on the previous year.

The survey of more than 13,000 Scottish adults, revealed eight per cent had something thrown at them, while six per cent were kicked, bitten or hit.

A third of domestic abuse victims had young children living with them, and three-quarters of those witnessed the abuse. In a fifth of incidents the child tried to stop it and, in three per cent of cases, was hurt in the process.

Lilly Greenan, manager of Scottish Women's Aid, said: "We previously extrapolated the studies available, and estimated 100,000 Scottish children witness domestic abuse in a year. But this is the first time I've seen this in a survey.

"The fact that nearly 20 per cent of children who witness abuse try to do something about it is very significant. It raises questions about how we support children who go through that experience. We have to realise that we are putting a lot on the shoulders of children. It's asking a lot of them to be involved in that kind of intervention."

She added: "Three per cent get hurt. It is not something they just witness, they try to get involved and they get hurt."

People receiving obscene or threatening phone calls rose from 2.3 to 2.6 per cent.

David Sinclair, of Victim Support Scotland, said: "We appreciate that when it comes to harassment, particularly over the telephone or internet, how insidious that can be. We would be delighted to see figures that show a reduction in these areas."

Superintendent Peter McPike, ACPOS lead on domestic abuse, said: "Domestic abuse is completely unacceptable and must not be tolerated in any form. Historically, domestic abuse has been under-reported, but we have seen a steady increase which reflects victims being more confident coming forward."

Alex Neil, housing and communities minister, said: "It is very encouraging that police forces are cracking down on domestic incidents."

NEW LAW OFFERS PROTECTION

MINISTERS have changed the law this year to tackle abuse and protect vulnerable people from harassment.

Previously, breach of the peace and assault laws proved difficult to prosecute in domestic abuse cases, which often happen behind closed doors.

The Criminal Justice and Licensing Act, passed in the summer, includes an new offence of engaging in threatening or abusive behaviour, which does not have to be committed in public. It also includes a specific crime of stalking, which is easier to prosecute.