Reported cases of domestic abuse increased over the Christmas and New Year period, according to new figures published by Scotland’s Violence Reduction Unit (VRU).
Chief Inspector Graham Goulden, who heads the Anti-Violence Campaign on behalf of the VRU, said the rise was worrying, but the fact so many victims had come forward to report abuse was encouraging and demonstrated that victims were no longer prepared to stay silent.
The stats show Scottish police forces recorded a total of 9812 incidents of domestic abuse during the two month period – 4783 in December and 5029 in January. The figures were up 1870 on the same period last year.
As well as enforcement activity, forces also:
•Used analysis to identify prolific domestic abuse offenders, and, where appropriate, visit them and give them advice on their behaviour.
•Participated in White Ribbon Scotland’s 16 Days of Action.
•Worked with pub watch schemes to raise awareness of domestic abuse via licensed premises.
•Delivered inputs on domestic abuse in schools, universities and local authorities.
In addition, officers across Scotland are being given extra training in investigation of domestic abuse incidents in order to reduce the number of cases where no proceedings take place due to lack of evidence.
