This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Domestic abuse recorded by police 2005-06
28/09/2006
Figures released today show a 5 per cent increase in the number of incidents of domestic abuse recorded by the police in 2005-06.
Statistics have revealed that the number of incidents of domestic abuse recorded by police forces in Scotland increased from 43,631 in 2004-05 to 45,796 in 2005-06.
They confirm the pattern of domestic abuse described in previous studies, that the overwhelming majority of domestic abuse is perpetrated by males against females. In 2005-06, incidents with a female victim and male perpetrator represented 87 per cent (39,076) of all incidents of domestic abuse where this information was recorded.
Other findings include:
- Just over half of the incidents (23,983) comprised behaviour that led to the recording of a crime or offence
- The most common crime or offence recorded in 2005-06 was minor assault (previously referred to as petty assault) at 22 per cent (10,135) of all incidents, followed by breach of the peace at 18 per cent (8,224) of all incidents
- The overall incidence of domestic abuse recorded by the police in Scotland was 899 per 100,000 population, compared to 859 per 100,000 in 2004-05
- For those incidents where information was available on whether or not the victim had previously been recorded as being a domestic abuse victim, 55 per cent (23,558) of the cases involved known repeat victimisation
- When looking at the incidence per 100,000 population, females are at most risk of being victims of domestic abuse when aged between 22 and 25 and males are most at risk when aged between 31 and 35
- Just over 41 per cent of the incidents (18,972) of domestic abuse recorded by the police involved co-habitees or spouses. There were fewer cases where the partners were married (8,580) compared to where they were not (10,392). In 34 per cent of cases, the victim and perpetrator were ex-partners (13,285) or ex-spouses (2,377). In 16 per cent (7,198) of cases, the victim and perpetrator were in an on-going relationship but were not co-habiting. This pattern is similar to that shown in previous years
- The overwhelming majority of incidents of domestic abuse took place in the home (90 per cent of all incidents where the location was recorded). This was more likely if the victim and perpetrator co-habited, i.e. were a `spouse' or `co-habitee' (95 per cent of all incidents where location was recorded)
Statistical data is now reported on a financial year timescale rather than an annual year. Full data from April 1999 to date is available in the Bulletin.
Collecting statistics on domestic abuse (previously referred to as domestic violence) was recommended in the Report of HM Inspectorate of Constabulary - Hitting Home - A Report on the Police Response to Domestic Violence 1997 .
The recommendations from this Report were progressed through the Domestic Violence Working Group of the Scottish Criminal Statistics Committee, involving Association of Chief Police Officers Scotland (ACPOS). Representatives agreed the following definition of domestic abuse:
'Domestic abuse is any form of physical, non-physical, or sexual abuse which takes place within the context of a close relationship, committed either in the home or elsewhere. This relationship will be between partners (married, co-habiting or otherwise) or ex-partners.'
The statistics reported today are a simple count of the numbers of incidents of domestic abuse recorded by the police using this definition.
The detailed classification of crimes and offences used by the Executive to collect criminal statistics contains about 360 codes:
'Minor assault' as defined by the Scottish Executive is any assault which does not fall into the following definition of Serious Assault:
'An assault in which the victim sustained an injury resulting in detention in hospital as an in-patient or any of the following injuries whether or not detained in hospital: fractures, concussion, internal injuries, crushings, severe cuts or lacerations, or severe general shock requiring medical treatment.'