One woman a month is killed by a violent partner in Scotland, according to shocking new figures. Police Scotland recorded 12 domestic homicides last year, double the six from the previous year. The number of domestic attempted murders of women also surged to 88, up from 56 the year before.
Overall, Police Scotland documented 66,434 domestic abuse incidents last year, highlighting the ongoing epidemic of violence against women and girls. Campaigners insist these figures represent only the tip of the iceberg, emphasizing that for many, home is the most dangerous place to be.
Political Reactions
Scottish Labour justice spokesperson Pauline McNeill described violence against women and girls as a “scourge in our society,” urging collective action to eliminate it. She called for tighter bail laws to prevent those with a history of domestic abuse from being bailed to their partner’s address and advocated for a specialist victims’ support team to coordinate justice agencies.
Scottish Conservative equalities spokeswoman Meghan Gallacher argued that women deserve more than “warm words and another strategy document.” She demanded practical measures, including a domestic abuse register, to better protect at-risk individuals and strengthen safeguards against repeat offenders.
Liam McArthur MSP expressed disappointment at the rise in domestic abuse incidents, noting that while increased reporting is positive, a large proportion of cases still go unreported.
Expert Insights
Dr Marsha Scott, CEO of Scottish Women’s Aid, warned that the true scale of domestic abuse is far greater than official figures suggest. Many incidents go unreported, and some deaths, including suicides following prolonged abuse, are not recorded as domestic abuse-related. She stressed the importance of Scotland’s Domestic Homicide and Suicide Review model to learn from all relevant deaths and prevent future tragedies.
Justice Secretary Neil Gray condemned domestic violence as “abhorrent” and acknowledged there are far too many cases. Deputy Chief Constable Alan Speirs reaffirmed the priority of supporting victims and addressing the harmful effects of violent crime.
