The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) have announced that the number of charges for domestic abuse crimes in Scotland has risen to its highest level in four years and the proportion of cases resulting in court proceedings was at a six-year high.
Overall, 30,718 domestic abuse charges were recorded, up 5.7% on the previous year, while 92% of offences were prosecuted.
The figures cover the 12 months to 31 March 2020.
More than 3% of the charges related to the new offence of engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour or psychological domestic abuse, which came into force last year.
The majority of people charged were men between the ages of 21 and 40.
Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf said “We have provided an additional £825,000 to Police Scotland to support the training of 14,000 officers and frontline staff to respond to and investigate the new domestic abuse offence.
“I want to be absolutely clear that all forms of violence against women and girls, including domestic abuse and stalking, will not be tolerated and holding perpetrators to account will continue to be a priority.”
Anne Marie Hicks, national procurator fiscal for domestic abuse added: “While the figures published today do not cover the period of lockdown, the impact of the coronavirus pandemic upon the justice system, particularly the ability to progress criminal trials, has been significant and we recognise the impact of delays and uncertainty on victims.
“We will continue to work closely with justice partners and victim support organisations on a system-wide response to the challenges of the pandemic to ensure the justice system fully recovers, and cases progress as efficiently as possible.”
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
