Domestic abuse: 2.5% Scottish increase in reported cases

Image source, PA

Scottish Government figures have indicated a 2.5% increase in domestic abuse in Scotland over the past year.

This year's figures show an increase of 32% on the figures for 2005/06, from 45,331 to 59,882.

Of the 58,439 incidents reported in 2014-15, 54% resulted in the recording of at least one crime or offence.

The government has pledged 拢3m funding over the next three years to help domestic abuse victims.

The advocacy service Assist will receive the 拢3m funding to help all "have the confidence to report crime", according to the Justice Secretary, Michael Matheson MSP.

Statistics showed there were 58,439 incidents reported in 2014-15, compared to 59,882 reported in 2013-14 - an increase of 2.5%.

Scottish Conservative justice spokeswoman Margaret Mitchell called the 46% of reported cases which did not lead to a conviction "depressing" but welcomed the news that more victims were coming forward.

She called for more analysis about the incidents which did not result in a conviction.

Women currently make up the majority of domestic abuse victims, 80% in 2014-15.

But over the last 10 years, the number of male victims has risen - from 5,332 victims, 12% of victims, in 2005-06, to 9,755 victims, 20%, in 2014-15.

However, there was a 1% decrease in male victims reporting domestic abuse in 2014-15 on the previous year.

The proportion of reported incidents against men leading to police charges has remained consistently lower than those against women.

Overall, 60% of reports against women led to a crime or offence being recorded in 2014-15, compared with 52% against men.

Mhairi McGowan, Head of Service for Assist and Domestic Abuse services at Community Safety Glasgow, said: "Our service supports both female and male victims... Everyone deserves to live a life free from abuse."