Domestic abuse up in past year with female on male abuse forming 18 per cent of all incidents

The main findings include: in 2013-14 there were 58,439 incidents of domestic abuse recorded by the police in Scotland.

In 2014-15 there were 59,882 incidents of domestic abuse recorded by the police in Scotland, an increase of 2.5 per cent from 2013-14.

In 2014-15, 54 per cent of incidents of domestic abuse recorded by the police in Scotland resulted in at least one crime or offence being committed. This remained unchanged from 2013-14.

There were 1,120 incidents of domestic abuse recorded by the police in Scotland per 100,000 population in 2014-15.

At a local authority level, Dundee (1,703) and Glasgow (1,497) recorded the highest incident rates per 100,000 population.

Shetland Islands (461), Orkney Islands (528) and Eilean Siar (532) recorded the lowest rates per 100,000 population.

Incidents of domestic abuse recorded by the police in Scotland with a female victim and a male perpetrator represented 79 per cent of all incidents of domestic abuse in 2014-15 where gender information was recorded.

Since 2005-06 this percentage share has fallen from 87 per cent.

The proportion of incidents with a male victim and a female perpetrator (where gender was recorded) has increased from 11 per cent in 2005-06 to 18 per cent in 2014-15.

In 2014-15, the 26-30 years old age group has the highest rate per 100,000 population for both victims (2,615 incidents recorded per 100,000 population) and perpetrators (2,766 incidents recorded per 100,000 population).

Incidents of domestic abuse recorded by the police are more common at weekends with 37 per cent of all incidents in 2014-15 occurring on a Saturday or Sunday.

Justice Secretary Michael Matheson said: “The Scottish government is committed to tackling the scourge of domestic abuse and helping victims have the confidence to come forward and report it is a hugely important part of that.

“Despite overall falls in crime, more cases involving crimes such as sexual offences and domestic abuse are reaching our courts. During 2013/14 alone there was a 50 per cent increase in the number of cases involving domestic abuse being sent to court and the number of convictions for sexual offences increased by 22 per cent.

“It’s also important to recognise that male victims often require services that are tailored to their needs, and that these may not be the same as those of female victims.

“That is why this government was the first to have made provision specifically for male victims of domestic abuse, including funding of over £120,000 this year alone.”