Worrying rise in domestic abuse
Tory MSP slams ‘soft-touch SNP government’
NICOLA FINDLAY
Shocking new figures have revealed that there are over NINE incidents of domestic violence within South Lanarkshire each day.
Statistics in a report from the Scottish Government revealed 3504 incidents of domestic abuse were recorded by the police in the council area in 2018-19.
The rise comes at a time when the SNP have effectively abolished jail sentences of less than a year with greater emphasis on community sentences.
And Tory MSP and former East Kilbride councillor Graham Simpson claims this is risking domestic abusers being “let off the hook”.
Across Scotland, the number of domestic abuse cases rose for the third year in a row to 60,641, a new all-time high.
Around four in every five cases involved a female victim and male perpetrator, and the vast majority occurred in a home setting.
In 2019, Nicola Sturgeon effectively abolished prison sentences of less than 12 months.
MSP for Central Scotland, Graham Simpson, said: “It will be very concerning to the people of South Lanarkshire that domestic violence appears to be on the rise, with over nine incidents every day within the council area.
“As domestic abuse charities have pointed out, Nicola Sturgeon’s abolition of short prison sentences could result in abusers being let straight back into homes.
“I fully support the police as they strive to crack down on perpetrators, but this is undermined by a soft-touch SNP government at the top which wants to let such people walk free from court.”
Labour MSP Monica Lennon said: “The apparent rising level of domestic abuse incidents in South Lanarkshire is of course concerning, but increased reporting is also a positive sign that people are gaining confidence in their ability to report crimes.
“The work of Women’s Aid South Lanarkshire and East Renfrewshire [based in East Kilbride] is absolutely vital to supporting women and children affected by gender-based violence.”
But Linda Fabiani, MSP for East Kilbride, said that the figures are for the year before the Scottish Government’s “ground breaking” new domestic abuse laws came into force which actually allow for prison sentences of up to 14 years.
She said: “Domestic abuse exacts a terrible toll on victims and often causes much wider harms, such as impacting on children’s safety and well-being within the family home.
“The Domestic Abuse Act widened the definition of domestic abuse – criminalising psychological domestic abuse and coercive and controlling behaviour.
“The Act provides for prison sentences of up to 14 years – alongside more powers for police and prosecutors – demonstrating the Scottish Government’s commitment to ensuring perpetrators are dealt with robustly and effectively.”
She added: “The support services that many local organisations provide to victims of abuse is indispensable and, on that note, I welcome the launch of a new, £13m Scottish Government funding stream for services that protect women and girls from gender-based violence.”
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Help and support is available for anyone suffering from domestic abuse.
South Lanarkshire and East Renfrewshire Women’s Aid 01355 249 897.
Scotland’s Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline on 0800 027 1234.
Victim Support Scotland www. victimsupportsco.org.uk or 0845 6039213
Abused Men In Scotland (AMIS) www.abusedmeninscotland.org or
0808 800 0024, Mon - Fri 9am - 4pm
Samaritans www.samaritans.org or 08457 909 090.
A leading domestic abuse charity has warned that the shocking figures are just the “tip of the iceberg”.
And Women’s Aid say much more needs to be done to end domestic abuse.
Dr Marsha Scott, chief executive of Scottish Women’s Aid, said: “We know that women are very often reluctant to report for fear of what will happen to them, and to their children.
“So, while the figure of 60,641 reports is shocking in and of itself, it becomes even more upsetting when you consider it is a fraction of the abuse actually unfolding across Scotland right now.
“Looking at the trend across 10 years, we can see that we have much more work to do when it comes to ending domestic abuse in Scotland.
“It lies with all of us - police, judiciary, services, individuals and the Government - to change the landscape for women and children experiencing this daily fear, including those who never report it to the police.
“We are proud to be in a country that is working hard to reflect women and children’s experiences, having passed and began implementing a world-leading new law on domestic abuse.
“However, now is not the time for complacency and we will continue to call for vigilance.
“For anyone experiencing domestic abuse, or those concerned about someone else, help is always available from local Women’s Aid services and from Scotland’s Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline, available 24/7 on 0800 027 1234.”