The latest crime figures published by Scotland’s Chief Statistician have revealed that convictions for domestic abuse were at their second highest level on record last year, while the number of people convicted for sexual crimes reached an all-time high.
In total, 12,374 people were convicted in Scotland’s courts for crimes and offences involving domestic abuse in 2015-16, compared to 8,566 in 2010-11 and the highest figure of 12,440 in 2014-15.
A record 1,156 people were convicted for sexual crimes last year – up slightly from 1,152 in 2014-15 and 35% more than the 857 convictions in 2006-07. Much of the increase over the longer term has apparently been driven by rises in prosecutions for the taking, distribution and possession of indecent photos of children, alongside increased confidence of victims to report rape and sexual assaults, leading to more cases coming to court.
Convictions for rape and attempted rape continue to attract the longest prison terms (other than life sentences for murder), with the average sentence length rising to over seven years (2,572 days), up 8% in the last year.
“Tackling the often ‘hidden’ crime of domestic abuse is a key priority for this Government, so I welcome the fact our police and prosecutors continue to bring perpetrators to justice,” commented Cabinet Secretary for Justice Michael Matheson.
“However, I’m determined that our law enforcement agencies have the necessary powers to tackle this crime in all its forms,” he added. “That is why I will shortly introduce to Parliament legislation creating a new criminal offence of domestic abuse that will include psychological abuse which can be difficult to deal with under existing laws.”
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