The Scottish public have been urged to share their concerns with the police if they fear people are being abused in their home after almost 1,700 offences were recorded under new domestic abuse laws in a year in Scotland.

The Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act was introduced on 1 April 2019 which introduced the coercive and controlling behaviours used by domestic abusers, creating a single offence which covers the full range of abusive behaviours whether physical, psychological, financial or sexual.

During its first year in legislation, 1,681 crimes were recorded under DASA during the year, with 1,158 detected.

Constable Fiona Taylor said: “Crimes recorded under the new domestic abuse legislation underline the fact that, sadly, private, and indeed virtual, spaces are not safe places for everyone.”

“For some people, the stay at home guidance may expose them to a greater risk of abuse, harm and neglect,” she added.

The figures emerged in Police Scotland’s Quarter 4 Performance Report, which is the final one of the 2019-20 performance cycle which supports the police’s outcomes focused approach to reporting. The new offences are counted within Group 1 crimes of violence, which increased by 1,297 crimes or 16.2% year on year overall.

The Performance Report also highlights increases in crimes with a cyber element, including the disclosure of, or threat of disclosure of, intimate images, as well as online grooming and cyber-related fraud.

Deputy Chief Constable Fiona Taylor added: “We are seeking to be proactive when it comes to people we know have a history of committing domestic violence or domestic abuse, and we also want to ensure that support is given to people who may have been victims in the past, and we are encouraging people and neighbours to look out for each other.”

Report available here.