Ten per cent increase in domestic abuse crimes

Reports of domestic abuse increased by nearly ten per cent according to the latest data published by Police Scotland.

Quarter 1 performance data (April to June 2024) shows an increase of 881 crimes recorded compared to the same period for 2023, and an increase of 3.8% on the five-year mean.

Crimes recorded under the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act (DASA) showed a 28 per cent increase (an increase from 439 to 563) during the reporting period where the victim was a woman, and 66 per cent where the victim was male (an increase of 12 to 30).

ACC Steve Johnson, lead for Major Crime and Public Protection, Police Scotland said:

“Domestic abuse hurts far too many people in Scotland: adults, children, and communities. Increased reporting may indicate increased confidence in our positive response, taking robust action against offenders and supporting victims. 

“We are working hard to continually improve our response to domestic abuse, working with partners, to meet the needs of victims.

“Our strategy to tackle Violence against Women and Girls, published last year, set out our commitment to support and protect women and girls in Scotland. We listened, we heard, and we are developing the service we provide to all communities.

“From embedding a trauma-informed approach from the first point of contact, to equipping our officers with access to a BSL version of our domestic abuse questionnaire and directly addressing a significant gap, to continuing our campaigning approach to prevention.”

This week, Police Scotland has introduced new training for frontline officers. Developed with SafeLives, it covers a range of topics including: DASA, Multi-agency Tools for Keeping People Safe, Cybercrime, South Asian Women, and Children and Trauma. All CPD modules are shaped and underpinned by the lived experiences of survivors of domestic abuse.

And the Disclosure Scheme for Domestic Abuse Scotland (DSDAS) has potentially protected and saved the lives of thousands.

Nearly 25,000 (24,463) requests have been made to the scheme since it was introduced in 2015. Around 14,000 (13,923) disclosures have been delivered.  The disclosures advise people of their partner’s abusive past, helping them to plan for their safety and make informed decisions as to whether to continue their relationship.

An update on delivery of Police Scotland’s strategy to tackle VAWG has been provided to the Scottish Police Authority’s Policing Performance Committee.

Improvements to a victim’s experience of the criminal justice system is a key strand of delivery.

ACC Johnson continued: “We are working with partners to put victims’ experience at the heart of the criminal justice journey.

"This has included developing our capability across the country for recording interviews with victims that can be used as evidence in court.

“Or the hugely significant impact of summary case management pilots which have sped up access to justice and reduced the need for victims to appear in court.

“And our efforts extend beyond our borders with our links into international law enforcement.

"We are part of a global network to tackle the crime gangs behind the sexual exploitation which disproportionately affects women, and the individuals who use the internet to groom and abuse children worldwide.”