of domestic abuse is being reviewed. An inspection report in 2024 found that not enough was being done to provide basic information to victims during the justice process.

BBC Reporting Scotland in their regular wee BBC Breakfast inserts report an important story that does, I agree, need reporting.

As a ‘news’ service should they also give us some context and answer questions such as:

Is this a growing problem?

Is it worse in Scotland than in other parts of the UK?

The answers, easily accessed:

Level of domestic abuse incidents in Scotland unchanged since 2008 but now 114 0000, 16% more common in England & Wales

From Safer Communities and Justice Statistics Monthly Data Report: March 2026 published April 30 2026:

There were 63,867 incidents of domestic abuse recorded by the police in 2023-24, an increase of 3% on 2022-23. In 2023-24, 38% of all incidents recorded by the police included the recording of at least one crime or offence.

Source: https://www.gov.scot/publications/safer-communities-and-justice-statistics-monthly-data-report-march-2026/pages/statistics-on-crime-in-general/

Note: Multiple factors lie behind the long term increase in recorded domestic abuse-related crime including for example – historical reporting, more online offending and the impact of new legislation. The latest available data from the SCJS, for 2018-20 (2018-19 & 2019-20 combined) estimated that 3.6% of adults experienced at least one serious sexual assault since the age of 16, unchanged from 2008-09.

England & Wales?

The police recorded 816,493 domestic abuse-related crimes in England and Wales in YE March 2025; a decrease compared with the previous year (851,062), which reflects recent changes in police recording practices.

https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/bulletins/domesticabuseinenglandandwalesoverview/november2025

So, you know the drill. With 63 867 incidents in Scotland, we might expect 11 tines as many in England and Wales – 702 537 but there were 816 493, 114 000, 16.2% more.