Lord Advocate 'concerned' as domestic abuse charges rise by 14%

Scotland's top law officer has said it is "concerning for all of us" that the number of domestic abuse charges has increased.

New figures show that 34,586 charges were reported to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) last year - an increase of 14% on the previous year. Court action was ordered in 91% of cases.

Lord Advocate Ruth Charteris KC said protecting women and girls from abusive men would be a clear priority during her time in office.

It follows several high-profile cases in Scotland, including that of Stacy Hunter who was murdered by her husband while he was out on bail for allegedly strangling her.

Her family told BBC Scotland News that there were clear signs she was being manipulated, controlled and abused by Jim Mair long before he murdered her.

Campaigners have since called for high-risk domestic abuse perpetrators or suspects released on bail to have their location monitored using GPS equipment.

Stacy was killed just six days after the death of another domestic abuse victim, Vikki Soloman, in Edinburgh.

The Lord Advocate said prevention was essential, but there were victims who needed the protection of the law today.

"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," she said.

"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."

She said the justice system would "respond firmly" and hold abusive men to account through "robust prosecution that reflects the nature and seriousness of their offending".

"Victims should be assured they will be listened to and taken seriously by prosecutors; their experiences will be recognised; they will be supported through the legal process," she added.

Dr Emma Forbes, the Crown Office's lead prosecutor for domestic abuse, said the service had worked to better understand the experience of victims and their children.

She urged anyone who had witnessed or endured abuse, or was worried about a friend or relative, to speak to someone they trusted or report it to Police Scotland.

"Scotland has legislation which allows us to capture abuse as a course of conduct, which may have gone on for some time, not just an isolated incident," she said.

"To anyone experiencing abuse; it is not your fault. You deserve safety, not fear."

Scottish Labour's justice spokeswoman Pauline McNeill said the figures were "extremely concerning" and showed violence against women was "reaching a crisis point".

"Women are being failed even after abusers are known to the justice system," she added.