POLICE deal with a call about domestic abuse in Scotland at least once every 10 minutes, according to alarming new figures.
The number of recorded incidents rose by one per cent last year to 58,810, although politicians warned this represents only the “tip of the iceberg”.
This total included 31,314 domestic abuse calls where no crime was recorded, which is the highest such figure since devolution.
There were nine homicides, 463 attempted murders or serious assaults, and 796 sexual offences where domestic abuse was a factor.
The figures also showed a widespread regional disparity, ranging from 155 incidents per 10,000 in West Dunbartonshire to 47 per 10,000 in Orkney.
Twenty per cent of victims were men and three per cent were in same-sex relationships, while at least 51 per cent of abusers had previous history.
The Conservatives said the SNP should now reconsider its plan to abolish prison sentences of less than 12 months.
Justice spokesman Liam Kerr said: “Any increase in domestic abuse cases, however small, is utterly regrettable.
“It reflects terribly on Scotland as a country, and gives us a depressing insight into the sheer misery that besets some people’s lives. These figures show that police are called to 161 incidents every day. But, instead of getting tough on perpetrators, the SNP wants to abolish jail terms of less than 12 months.
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“That would mean domestic abusers – most of whom are jailed for a period within that timeframe – would walk away from court with a conviction,and straight back onto the streets to torment their victim.
“Any government serious about tackling domestic violence would not let that happen.”
Labour’s Claire Baker said the figures may “only be the tip of the iceberg as often victims are still too afraid to come forward”.
She added: “Questions should be asked as to why more than half of all incidents fail to result in a crime or offence.
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“We need to be confident that those that come forward receive the support they need.”
Justice Secretary Michael Matheson described the statistics as “unacceptable”, adding that “even greater urgency” was needed in efforts to reduce gender-based violence.
He said: “While figures have been relatively stable over the past five years, they remain evidence of the unacceptable levels of domestic abuse in Scotland.
“We know these figures don’t paint the whole picture, as victims are often too afraid to report abuse. We also know domestic abuse disproportionately affects women.”
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The Scottish Government has allocated £20million over three years to reduce violence against women and girls and the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Bill is currently passing through the Scottish Parliament.
Meanwhile, a disclosure scheme, which allows people to find out if their partner has been violent in the past, has been running for two years.
Assistant Chief Constable Nelson Telfer said: “As a result of the roll out of the Disclosure Scheme for Domestic Abuse Scotland, people who suspect their partner may have a violent past have the right to ask for information.
“If you or anyone you know is a victim of domestic abuse, we ask that you please come forward and report it.”
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