Edinburgh police chief anticipates more women seeking help for domestic abuse as lockdown starts to ease

The latest Police Scotland figures, between April 1st 2019 and March 31st this year, show an overall decrease in domestic abuse in the Capital from 5,767 to 5,505 incidents - a 4.6 per cent reduction.

A total of 205 offences were alo recorded under the Domestic Abuse Scotland Act, which came into effect last year and created a single offence covering the full range of abusive behaviours - physical, psychological, financial or sexual.

But Chief Superintendent Sean Scott, Divisional Commander for Edinburgh, says there may be some under-reporting of domestic abuse incidents with people locked down at home and, as the country phases out of lockdown, more may want to walk in to support groups like Scottish Women's Aid.

Chief Sup Scott also said that police have made reporting such incidents accessible online to prevent people suffering in silence during the lockdown.

He said: "We are anticipating a rise (in reports). If there is any spike once lockdown eases further we will continue to work hard with groups, for example Women's Aid, and other support and advocacy services.”

It comes as domestic abuse charities warned that they expect a surge in women seeking help as lockdown eases, and Scottish Women's Aid chief executive Marsha Scott fears services could be cut due to the recession caused by the pandemic.

She also told MSPs on Holyrood's Equalities and Human Rights Committee that the physical distancing restrictions of the virus has meant reducing the number of families that can be housed in refuges.

Chief Sup Scott added: "We are also giving enhanced focus and attention to not only detecting domestic offences, but ensuring victims are suitably supported, while perpetrators are brought before the courts.

"The new legislation for domestic abuse to include coercive control means we are seeing more and more reported incidents and I welcome this, as domestic abuse remains an under-reported issue. For those living in a situation where they find themselves being physically, emotionally or sexually abused by a partner, please contact us immediately so we can help you.”