Shame over abuse cases
Rutherglen and Cambuslang have been named as the worst area in South Lanarkshire for domestic abuse.
Police Scotland figures for 2014/15 show households in the town are 31 per cent more likely to suffer an incident.
Horrifying figures have shown Rutherglen and Cambuslang to be the worst place in South Lanarkshire for domestic abuse.
Police Scotland figures for 2014/15 show households in the town are 31 per cent more likely to suffer a domestic abuse incident than the rest of the region.
And 14 people in every 1000 will experience domestic abuse, compared with the South Lanarkshire average of 10.
Using 2013 population statistics, that would mean around 804 incidents every year, or more than two each day.
A shocking 31.8 out of every 1000 dwellings in the Rutherglen Central and North council ward will experience an incident.
The figure in Cambuslang West was 28.8, while Cambuslang East recorded 26.9 incidents per 1000 dwellings.
Rutherglen South was the lowest council ward but it still recorded a figure of 21 - above the regional average.
Women’s Aid South Lanarkshire and East Renfrewshire this week told the Reformer they supported 2177 women in 2014/15, 1766 of whom were from South Lanarkshire.
But CEO Heather Russell warned against a geography-based focus on the issue: “Whilst these figures provide a stark illustration of the challenge we face in working to eliminate domestic abuse, it would be misrepresentative of the issue to focus on the geography of incidents.
“Domestic abuse is not bound to any inferred social class from geographical location, but is a consequence of engendered inequality.
“Having provided a service in these localities for over 30 years and supported thousands of women, children and young people who have experienced domestic abuse, we believe these figures fall short of illustrating a true picture.
“They do however indicate the scale of the issue and demand for our services.
“Our experience in supporting women and families tells us that barriers to reporting domestic abuse remain.
“Understanding those barriers is key to enabling women to seek emotional, practical and financial support where ever they reside and from which ever back ground they come.”
South Lanarkshire Council run their own support service for victims of domestic abuse called Doorstep.
Justice services Manager Malcolm McAulay said: “Violence of any kind is unacceptable and it is essential to take a joint approach in tackling and addressing its many forms. If any individual is affected by Domestic Violence, they can contact Social work Resources, who will provide them with appropriate support or sign post then to an appropriate partner agency.
“Where an individual has been to court, found guilty and given a has been given a Community Disposal, justice services work with the individual to address and change their behaviour.”
James Kelly MSP described the figures as “alarming,” adding: “Unfortunately, the data shows that the scourge of domestic abuse is a factor in Rutherglen and Cambuslang that we cannot ignore.
“It is totally unacceptable and we must support the police in their efforts to root it out.
There are further law changes being considered by the Scottish Parliament to protect domestic abuse victims. We must ensure not only that the law is fit for purpose but that victims are given appropriate support and protection in our communities.”