Domestic abusers sentenced to over 215 years
Thirty two domestic abusers are serving a combined 215 years in prison following investigations led by Police Scotland’s Domestic Abuse Task Force.
Since 1 April 2022, the work of the Task Force has resulted in 32 offenders being sentenced to a total of 215 years in prison, with individual sentences ranging from 18 months to 15 years.
Sentencing has included the imposition of two orders of lifelong restriction (OLR), six lifelong Non-harassment Orders (NHO), and further NHOs totalling approximately 250 years.
Nearly 65,000 incidents of domestic abuse were reported to Police Scotland in 2021-22. On average police are called to an incident every nine minutes.
Detective Chief Superintendent, Sam Faulds, Head of Police Scotland’s Public Protection Unit, said: “Our Domestic Abuse Task Force takes on the most complex cases, often involving long-term offending against multiple victims.
“Behind the numbers are victims who have lived in fear and with the trauma of domestic abuse, sometimes for many years, before reporting either directly to the police or to one of our partner agencies.
“And what the figures don’t show is the number children who witness domestic abuse and carry that with them for the rest of their lives.”
Detective Chief Superintendent Faulds continued: “Domestic abuse is a blight on all of our communities. Officers across Scotland in every policing division are dealing with domestic incidents on a daily basis.
“Every one of those reports is investigated and around 40% will result in a crime being recorded.
“However, we are well aware that domestic abuse, as with other forms of gender-based violence including sexual crime, is vastly under-reported.
“Policing alone is not the answer to tackling gender-based violence. Prevention and education, with all statutory and support agencies working in partnership, has to be the starting point if we are to turn the tide against domestic abuse and other forms of GBV.
“If you are a victim of domestic abuse, or are concerned that someone you know is a victim, then please report to Police Scotland or through one of our partner agencies. We will take action and we will investigate.”
According to the latest recorded crime statistics, 81% of domestic crime involved a female victim and a male perpetrator, 15% involved a male victim and female perpetrator and 4% of incidents involved same sex partners.
Police Scotland launched its latest domestic abuse prevention campaign last week. ‘IsThatMe?’ is aimed at men aged 18-25 years as they form new relationships and calls on them to reflect, take action and stop domestic abuse before it starts.
Anyone who wishes to report a crime can contact Police Scotland on 101 or make an anonymous report by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Alternatively, support is available by calling the Scottish Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline on 0800 027 1234. In an emergency call 999.
