Domestic abuse: statistics recorded by the police in Scotland, 2022-23

Characteristics of victims and perpetrators of domestic abuse incidents recorded by the police in Scotland from 2022 to 2023.


Annex 5: Legislation

The Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018 came into force on 1 April 2019 and created a new offence for circumstances where a person engages in a course of behaviour[16] which is abusive towards their partner or ex-partner. Prior to the 1 April 2019, any criminal act which formed part of a domestic abuse incident (such as a Common assault or Threatening or abusive behaviour) was included within the statistics under the relevant crime or offence. Where there is evidence of a course of behaviour, new crime codes of Domestic abuse (Scotland) Act 2018 (against a male or female victim) have been created. In general, existing common law and statutory offences will continue to be recorded where appropriate, in addition to the new crimes.

As well as common law, some of the main legislation applicable to domestic abuse is as follows:

Contact

Email: Justice_Analysts@gov.scot

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