Domestic abuse cases rise
Scottish Executive figures reveal 10 per cent increase in a year
New figures show that the number of domestic abuse cases recorded by the police has risen by 10 per cent in a year.
A total of 43,678 incidents were recorded in 2004 compared to 39,643 in 2003, according to details now released by the Scottish Executive. Around half of those incidents (21,795) involved behaviour that led to the recording of a crime or offence.
The most common offence was petty assault (22% of incidents), followed by breach of the peace at 17%. The victim had previously suffered from domestic abuse in more than half of the cases, and 88% involved a female victim and male perpetrator.
Deputy Communities Minister Johann Lamont said the rise in domestic abuse cases reflected a consistent pattern over recent years. This was mainly due to a greater acceptance that domestic abuse was wrong, she added, and increased confidence in reporting crimes to the police.
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