Calls to Scotland’s Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline rose by 25% in the last year.
Scottish Women’s Aid, which manages the service, said there were 6,440 calls from across the country in 2018/19 – up by 637 on the previous year.
They included 87 from Dundee, 89 from Fife, 49 from Perth and Kinross and 17 from Angus.
However, there are concerns that the relatively small number of women seeking help – fewer than five a week across the whole of Tayside and Fife – means more needs to be done to raise awareness that the service exists.
Scottish Women’s Aid said it was continuing to promote the helpline to encourage more people who need support to get in touch.
A spokeswoman for the organisation said: “Domestic abuse happens in every community across Scotland, and we are working consistently to improve awareness of Scotland’s Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline.
“Awareness raising activities in the past year have included working with the Scottish Government on their national advertising campaign promoting Scotland’s gold-standard new domestic abuse law, and communicating with all MSPs and Scottish MPs, asking them to share information about the helpline with their constituents.
“We would encourage local businesses and services to display the contact information for the helpline visibly in their buildings.”
Emotional abuse was the most common concern among callers Scotland-wide, with almost 1,800 calls on the issue.
Physical abuse was the subject of almost 1,150 calls.
The overwhelming majority of calls, 85%, were in regards to ongoing current abuse compared to 12% in connection with historic cases of abuse.
Perth and Kinross councillor and SNP group spokeswoman for housing and communities Sheila McCole said: “I am alarmed to hear of a rise in the number of people contacting the Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage helpline, nevertheless I am pleased to see that people feel able to reach out for help.”
She said there were a number of organisations which do stellar work with those who are experiencing domestic abuse.
“I would encourage anyone who is suffering at the hands of a family member or partner to speak to one of these organisations,” she added.
The helpline is open 24/7 every day of the year via phone or email to anyone with experience of domestic abuse or forced marriage.
Anyone with concerns for their or someone else’s safety can call the helpline on 0800 027 1234 or email them on helpline@sdafmh.org.uk.
