THE number of incidents of domestic abuse reported to police has jumped 41% in eight years.
THE number of incidents of domestic abuse reported to police has jumped 41% in eight years.
It was revealed today there were 49,655 incidents recorded last year - almost 15,000 more than the 2000/01 figure of 35,126.
Officials suggest the rise may be due to better training for police officers and better support, leading victims to have more faith in reporting incidents of abuse to the authorities.
The figures were released to highlight the 10th anniversary of the Scottish Government's hard-hitting campaign against violence and abuse in the home.
The 1998 campaign was the first of its kind in the UK and set out to raise awareness of the issue, change public attitudes and provide support for people affected by it.
The campaign has brought memorable images over the years, focusing each time on a different aspect of the effects of domestic abuse.
This year's TV campaign, backed by This Life actress Daniella Nardini, began on Boxing Day, highlighting the help available to those who have to deal with abuse.
The campaigns have always taken place over the festive season, when the number of domestic abuse incidents goes up significantly.
By 2011, ministers will have ploughed more than £95million into tackling the problem, which also affects an estimated 100,000 children in Scotland.
Other projects involved in tackling violence in the home have sprung up since the launch of the Scottish campaign.
The initiative attracted a corporate sponsor, Thus, and a part-time helpline was launched in 1999. The service was expanded in 2003 to be open round the clock, and is now staffed by more than 60 volunteers.
It received a record 21,000 calls in 2007 from women experiencing domestic abuse, or people close to someone going through it.
A pilot domestic abuse court covering the South Side of Glasgow was established in 2004, helping to "fast-track" cases. Last year, 800 cases were heard and with an expansion planned, a further 500 cases are soon expected to be dealt with each year.
Communities minister Stewart Maxwell said today: "We know the effects of domestic abuse can be devastating and the Scottish Government is determined to tackle it.
"Over the next three years the Scottish Govern-ment is committing over £44m, more than double the funding spent between 2005-2008, to tackle violence against women, including supporting the work of Scottish Women's Aid, the Scottish Domestic Abuse Helpline, Rape Crisis Scotland and the network of local rape crisis centres.
"The ground-breaking campaign, which was the first of its kind in the UK, continues to raise awareness of the issue of violence against women and encourage those affected to take the first steps to seek help to have a life free from fear and free from the blight of domestic abuse."
