Lord advocate pledges ‘robust’ action after rise in domestic abuse charges

Statistics compiled by the Crown Office show a 14 per cent increase in domestic abuse charges. Court action was ordered in 91 per cent of cases.

Ms Charteris said protecting women and girls from abusive men will be a clear priority during her time in office. She assured victims that prosecutors stand with them – and will use Scotland’s domestic abuse legislation to hold abusers to account for every aspect of their criminal behaviour.

She said: “I am acutely aware that every one of the 34,586 charges received by COPFS reflects the suffering of a victim – in the overwhelming majority of cases, a woman harmed by a man.

“It is concerning for all of us that the number of reports has increased, particularly those involving some of the most serious offending.

“Scotland must change. Ending domestic abuse in our communities is an issue for each of us to address every day, challenging harmful attitudes and behaviours wherever we see them.

“Prevention is vital if Scotland is to reduce this harm in the future, but there are victims who need the protection of the law today. Where men are abusing victims now, the justice system must respond firmly and hold that behaviour to account.

Scottish Liberal Democrat justice spokesperson Yi-pei Chou Turvey MSP said: “With the majority of domestic abuse cases involving a female victim and a male perpetrator, this disturbing increase reveals there is still a long way to go in ending violence against women and girls.

“Ultimately, there are still men in this country who do not view women as human beings. I am worried that efforts to address misogynistic and violent attitudes have stalled, including the extremely delayed implementation of domestic abuse protections, which parliament passed over five years ago. 

“I wrote to the first minister about this issue at the beginning of the summer, but two months on, I have yet to receive a reply.

“That is why I have now sought an urgent meeting with the justice secretary for clarity on how exactly the government plans to translate its warm words into action.”