In 2023-24 half (50%) of domestic abuse incidents, where the relationship between the victim and suspected perpetrator was known, were between ex-partners. Just under half (49%) of incidents were between current partners. 

The number of domestic abuse incidents recorded by the Police by whether the victim/suspected perpetrator has previous history of domestic abuse

In Orkney the Police recorded 34% domestic abuse incidents which included at least one crime or offence, compared to a Scottish average of 38%. This works out as 66 incidents per 10,000 of the islands’ population. Taking the population of Scotland as at mid-year 2023, there were 116 incidents of domestic abuse recorded by the police in Scotland per 10,000.

These figures are only those recorded by the Police, not all incidents are reported.

Percentage of domestic abuse incidents recorded by the police which included at least one crime or offence being recorded, by local authority, 2023-24

In Scotland the Police recorded 63,867 incidents of domestic abuse in 2023-24, an increase of 3% compared to the previous year. This is the first year this figure has shown an increase since 2020-21.

The number of domestic abuse incidents recorded by the Police in Orkney from 2019 – 2024

Year	Number of incidents of Police recorded domestic abuse in Orkney
2019 – 20	115
2020 -21	115
2021 – 22	91
2022 – 23	116
2023 – 24	146

The definition of domestic abuse is:

‘Any form of physical, verbal, sexual, psychological or financial abuse which might amount to criminal conduct and which takes place within the context of a relationship. The relationship will be between partners (married, cohabiting, civil partnership or otherwise) or ex-partners. The abuse can be committed in the home or elsewhere including online’.

The type of crime or offence that was most frequently recorded as part of a domestic abuse incident in 2023-24:

• Common assault : 31% of all crimes and offences
• Crimes against public justice: 20%
• Threatening and abusive behaviour: 20%

About a third of domestic abuse crimes occur at the weekend and 90% happen in the home. Two thirds of these crimes were by repeating offenders.

Click on this link for information and support about Scottish Women’s Aid

Click on this link for information and support about Orkney Rape and Sexual Assault Service

The  Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018 came into force on 1st April 2019.

Domestic violence and abuse data in England & Wales is not comparable with Scotland’s statistics on domestic abuse due to differences in definition. The UK Government’s definition of domestic violence and abuse is:

‘Any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are, or have been, intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality. The abuse can encompass, but is not limited to psychological, physical, sexual, financial, emotional’.

Fiona Grahame