Domestic abuse in Scotland rises

There has been a 10 per cent rise in the number of incidents of
domestic violence in Scotland, according to data recorded by the
police in 2004, writes Clare Jerrom.

The number of incidents of domestic abuse has risen from 39, 643
in 2003 to 43,678 in 2004 and the pattern shows that it is
predominantly abuse of females by men.

Other findings include:-

• Almost half of the incidents comprised behaviour that
led to a crime being recorded

• Nearly 45 per cent of the incidents of domestic abuse
involved co-habitees or spouses

• More than 90 per cent of incidents occurred in the
home.

For those incidents where information was available on whether
or not the victim had previously been recorded as being a domestic
abuse victim, 52 per cent of the cases involved repeat
victimisation.

Collecting figures on domestic violence was recommended in a
report by the HM Inspectorate of Constabulary