Focus on domestic abuse must continue

Strides have been made in recent years in identifying and providing protection for those who suffer at the hands of a domestic abuser. A multi-agency approach to the issue – which until recently was one of society’s last remaining taboos – has been developed to ensure the voices of victims can be heard and appropriate action taken to bring what is often a longstanding cycle of abuse to an end.

The creation of a support network for abuse survivors that spans everything from justice to social care has also helped give other unseen victims the courage to take the first steps towards a life free of mental and physical trauma.

That is why the locking down of society as a result of the Covid pandemic brought such fears about a new spike in domestic abuse cases.

Sadly, new figures covering the early weeks of lockdown bear that concern out, with a rise in the number of incidents reported in three of the four local authority areas in Tayside and Fife, including a 14% increase in crime in Dundee.

Issues around parental contact with children during lockdown are among the reasons for the uplift in cases but that does not explain or excuse such behaviour.

What is encouraging is that the police and partner agencies are continuing to prioritise domestic abuse despite the myriad other challenges they face right now.

They must not lose their focus as the sad truth is there will always be someone out here suffering and in need of help.