Matheson condemns ‘unacceptable’ increase in recorded domestic abuse

● Government has allocated £20m to cut violence against women and girls

Justice Secretary Michael Matheson has labelled a rise in domestic abuse incidents in Scotland as “unacceptable”.

Cases of domestic abuse climbed slightly last year. Police Scotland recorded 58,810 incidents in 2016-17, up 1 per cent from the previous year. At least one crime or offence was found to have been committed in almost half of those incidents.

Mr Matheson said the statistics showed “even greater urgency” was needed to reduce gender-based violence.

Levels of domestic abuse recorded by the police have remained relatively stable since 2011-12 at around 58,000 to 60,000 incidents a year, according to statisticians.

Of the 58,810 incidents recorded last year, 47 per cent involved a crime or offence. Common assault was the most frequently cited.

Female victims and male accused accounted for 79 per cent of all incidents where gender information was recorded.

A male victim and female accused were recorded in 18 per cent of cases – the same percentage as in 2015-16.

Mr Matheson said: “While figures have been relatively stable over the past five years, they remain evidence of the unacceptable levels of domestic abuse in Scotland.

“We know these figures don’t paint the whole picture, as victims are often too afraid to report abuse. We also know domestic abuse disproportionately affects women.”

Incidents were more common at weekends, with 36 per cent occurring on a Saturday or Sunday. Meanwhile, the 26-30 age group had the highest incident rate for both victims and accused.

The Scottish Government has allocated £20 million over three years to reduce violence against women and girls.

The government’s Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Bill, which is designed to create a specific offence of abusive behaviour towards a partner or former partner and to criminalise psychological abuse, such as coercive and controlling behaviour, is passing through the Scottish Parliament.

A disclosure scheme that allows people to find out if their partner has been violent in the past has been running for two years.

Scottish Labour’s justice spokeswoman Claire Baker said the figures may “only be the tip of the iceberg as often victims are still too afraid to come forward”. She added: “Questions should be asked as to why more than half of all incidents fail to result in a crime or offence.

“We need to be confident that those that come forward receive the support they need.”

Scottish Conservative MSP Liam Kerr said: “Instead of getting tough on perpetrators, the SNP wants to abolish jail terms of less than 12 months.

“That would mean domestic abusers – most of whom are jailed for a period within that timeframe – would walk away from court with a conviction and straight back on to the streets to torment their victim.”