Referrals are on the rise

Campaign groups who help domestic abuse victims say they have noticed a sharp rise in the number of people who are coming to them for support.

The total number of incidents of domestic abuse recorded in 2018/ 19 represents almost seven per cent ( 6.9 per ent) of the national figure as a whole.

The laws over domestic abuse were tightened last year to include coercive behaviour.

And women’s aid groups in South and East Ayrshire are the ones who are experiencing increased referrals.

Shirley Middleditch, interim manager at South Ayrshire Women’s Aid, said: “Since the introduction of the new Domestic Abuse Scotland Act 2018, we have seen an increase in the referrals we have received, particularly in relation to coercive control.

“We have been asked by agencies to

Looking at the trend across 10 years, we can see we have much more work to do

provide training on this new legislation. I believe this is only the tip of the iceberg as these figures are only the women who have reported and we support many women who have not reported, this could be due to fear or reprisal from the perpetrator, his family or friends.”

Karen Gardner, manager of East Ayrshire Women’s Aid, said they support more than 500 women and children each year.

She added: “We know that most domestic abuse is unreported and that women often experience abuse for many years before telling anyone.”

For more information about East Ayrshire Women’s Aid, telephone 01563 536 001 or e- mail info@ eastayrshire womensaid. org. uk.

To contact South Ayrshire Women’s Aid telephone 01292 266482 or e- mail support@ sawamail. org. uk