Scotland’s senior law officer today pledged the full commitment of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service – Scotland’s independent prosecution service – to support victims who find themselves being controlled and abused during what should be a season of celebration.
The hidden ordeals of so many victims – the vast majority female - were revealed by COPFS figures relating to the Christmas and New Year period last year.
They show that prosecutors received 5113 crime reports related to domestic abuse over December 2023 and January 2024.
Of these, some 310 were specifically under Scotland’s ground-breaking Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018 which criminalises a course of coercive and controlling behaviour.
The Lord Advocate has personally urged anyone who may feel trapped in an abusive relationship, to report the crime to the police and allow Scotland’s prosecutors to seek justice on their behalf.
She said: “The festive period can be a particularly dreadful time for those who experience domestic abuse.
“Friends and family members may be busy enjoying the season without ever knowing that for some people the suffering endures or worsens.
“The insidious nature of this crime means that it often happens behind closed doors, and we all spend a lot of time at home during winter months.
“For far too many women in Scotland, this is a frightening prospect. The 5113 reports we received during the festive period last year is an indication of what is going on in our communities.
“We recognise that physical violence is only one form of domestic abuse. Our laws capture psychological, verbal, sexual and economic abuse and stalking as forms of coercive control.
“Some abusers may monitor or control where their victim goes, what they wear, who they see or communicate with. They may restrict and manipulate the life of a partner, eroding confidence and individuality, controlling through fear.
“Such behaviour is abhorrent. There is no excuse. The law does not tolerate it.”
Figures released this month by Police Scotland show there were 20,271 reported crimes of domestic abuse in the six months to September this year, an increase of 11%.
The majority of the increase came from psychological offending such as stalking and coercive control. More than 80% of the reported crimes involved a male perpetrator.
The Lord Advocate said: “Domestic abuse damages the lives of victims, children and families. It blights Scottish society.
“Those who suffer must have the confidence and courage to speak out, secure in the knowledge that they will be heard and supported by trauma-informed staff at COPFS.
“As public prosecutors we pledge to continue working towards a society where no one endures the misery of domestic abuse.
“We look forward to a time when no one need fear being at home with their partner over the holidays.”