Domestic abuse figures creep up again

Incidents of domestic abuse recorded by Scottish police rose by 1% in 2016-17 to 58,810, according to figures from the Chief Statistician published today.

The rise follows a 3% fall in the previous year, although the percentage of incidents that resulted in at least one crime or offence being committed fell from 51% to 47%. Over the past 10 years this percentage has fluctuated between 47% and 62% (in 2009-10), with no obvious trend over the longer term.

Incidents that do not include a crime or offence often involve arguments without physical confrontation or threatening behaviour, but which result in one of the parties, or a third person, contacting the police, perhaps with one party wanting the other to leave; or unwanted communication or attempted communication; or the police being ciontacted with concerns without reference to a specific incident. 

The bulletin states that over the past six years, the number of recorded incidents of domestic abuse has remained relatively stable at around 58,000 to 60,000 incidents a year. This follows large rises between 1999-2000 and 2011-12.

Where gender information was recorded, incidents with a female victim and a male accused represented 79% of the total, a percentage share the same as last year but which has fallen from 85% in 2007-08. The reverse situation accounted for 18% of cases. The 26-30 age group had the highest rate of incidents for both victims and accused.

In 2016-17, 88% of all incidents of domestic abuse occurred in a home or dwelling, and 36% on a Saturday or Sunday.

Justice Secretary Michael Matheson said the figures demonstrated the need for the Scottish Government to continue its drive to reduce gender-based violence.

He commented: “While figures have been relatively stable over the past five years, they remain evidence of the unacceptable levels of domestic abuse in Scotland. We know these figures don’t paint the whole picture, as victims are often too afraid to report abuse. We also know domestic abuse disproportionally affects women.

“It is crucial our work continues with even greater urgency. We have allocated record funding of £20m over three years towards eliminating violence against women and girls, and we are taking forward legislation to introduce a new offence, criminalising the type of coercive and controlling behaviour that can constitute domestic abuse."

Click here to view the full bulletin.