'Utterly appalling': Domestic abuse incident reported to police every 10 minutes in Scotland

A domestic abuse incident is reported to the police every ten minutes in Scotland on average, figures show.

The number of incidents recorded last year increased by 3 per cent, reaching their third-highest level on record.

Statistics released by the Scottish Government show there were 63,867 incidents of domestic abuse recorded in 2023/24, which is an average of 175 a day, or more than one every ten minutes.

The figures were called 'utterly appalling' | PA

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

Nearly two-fifths (38 per cent) 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 per cent of all crimes recorded.

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

Conservative MSP Pam Gosal called the figures “utterly appalling”, adding: “Police recorded an incident every ten 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.”

Ms Gosal is taking a proposed domestic violence Bill through Holyrood, which would introduce a register for culprits similar to the sex offenders’ register, among other measures.

Labour MSP Katy Clark said: “That domestic abuse is on the rise once again is a disturbing reminder of how often the justice system fails women and girls. Everyone should have a right to feel safe in their own home, but sadly for tens of thousands of Scots this is not the case.”

Following its introduction in 2019, 5 per cent of crimes and offences were recorded under the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act. This 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.

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.

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 per cent) occurred at the weekend.

Of the domestic abuse incidents where the relationship between the victim and the suspected perpetrator was known, 50 per cent were between ex-partners. Around two-thirds (65 per cent) involved a victim and suspected perpetrator who had previously been recorded in a domestic abuse incident.

SNP victims’ minister Siobhian Brown said: “Domestic abuse is abhorrent, and while there has been a small increase in the number of incidents reported to police, we know that it is this type of crime than can go unreported.

“The Scottish Government continues to encourage victims to contact Police Scotland and also seek help and support.

“We are continuing to make changes to the justice system to make it easier to report incidents and we have legislated to give police, prosecutors and the courts greater powers to tackle domestic abuse crimes.

“To support victims, we are providing more than £7.5 million to Women’s Aid groups in 2024/25 through our delivering equally safe fund and £1.7 million to Scotland’s domestic abuse and forced marriage helpline which provides round-the-clock support – 0800 027 1234.”