Domestic abuse cases have increased slightly in a year, according to official statistics.
Police recorded 60,080 incidents in 2012-13, up from 59,847 in the previous year, at a time when the problem is described as a “top priority”. Of the total, 61% involved repeat victims of abuse – about the same proportion as in 2011-12.
Concern was raised that 2,592 people had reported 11 or more incidents to police in the past. Equalities minister Shona Robison said a new strategy targeting violence against women will be published next year.
“No-one should doubt our determination and commitment to tackle domestic abuse,” she said.
“These incidences of violence remain far too prevalent in our society and advances in technology have created new means for some people to abuse and exploit others.
“That is why we are taking action to help victims of such attacks and are delivering substantial financial support to help victims and prevent abuse from happening in the first place.
“We are developing a new strategy to tackle violence against women in modern Scotland and I welcome the proactive and resolute response to domestic abuse from Police Scotland, who have made tackling domestic abuse and rape two of their top three priorities.”
Half of all incidents led to the recording of a crime or offence, down from 54% in the previous year, the figures show. Of those, common assault accounted for 42% and threatening or abusive behaviour accounted for 19%.
Women were victims of men in 80% of all incidents, which is 1% lower than the previous year. Ms Robison said the problem shows the need to drop the centuries-old requirement for corroboration in Scots law.
Scrapping the requirement in criminal trials will remove a “barrier” to obtaining justice, she said.
Funding to tackle the problem increased by 62% since 2007 to £34.5 million between 2012 and 2015, according to the Government.
Police Scotland chief superintendent Bob Hamilton said: “We recognise the harrowing impact domestic abuse has on victims, their families and the wider community. In the last few years we have dedicated significant resources towards tackling domestic abuse.
“As well as supporting victims, we have placed a much greater emphasis on targeting repeat and serial offenders.
“The figures have increased and this is in part, we believe, due to increased levels of confidence that members of the public who experienced abuse of this nature have in coming forward and reporting to the police. It’s something we have worked hard to foster and would continue to encourage.
“The Police Scotland position is clear: we will continue to be tough and target the perpetrators of domestic abuse. It has no place in a modern Scotland.
“Our ultimate goal is to impact upon the levels of domestic abuse we have seen in recent years and to achieve a positive outcome for victims and their families.”
Earlier this year, police described domestic abuse as Scotland’s national shame as figures revealed an increase in domestic abuse during the festive period.
Lily Greenan, manager of Scottish Women’s Aid, said: “We expect reported incidents of domestic abuse to continue to rise as the awareness of domestic abuse increases, professionals receive more training and, as a result, women are encouraged to report the abuse they are experiencing to the police.
“The development of an effective, robust criminal justice response is crucial to the long-term prevention of domestic abuse. We commend the high priority Police Scotland has given to tackling domestic abuse since its establishment in April this year.”
Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson said she is alarmed at the level of repeat victims.
“We need to discover why so many offenders are able to repeat violent abuse,” she said.
“If someone is being physically abused within the walls of their own home, it is down to us as a society to provide help and support to ensure it stops.
“That can be achieved by improving the support network, giving people more of an option to escape their situation and coming down harder in the courts on those who think it acceptable to beat someone up on the basis they live together.
“We welcome any encouragement to get more people suffering abuse to come forward and we believe they should have access to as many ways of doing so as possible.”
She said proposals to close some public counters at police stations will not help.
“All it is doing is making it harder for victims to report the crimes they’ve been subjected to,” she said.