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Police Scotland said they responded to reports of domestic abuse once every eight minutes
Police Scotland respond to a report of domestic abuse every eight minutes, according to new figures.
Domestic abuse crimes rose by 10% in the past 12 months and 66,000 incidents were reported to officers between October 2024 and September.
The force also confirmed more than 30 “high harm” offenders had been jailed during the year.
However, a charity supporting abuse survivors said the country needed to “ask more of its criminal and civil justice systems” to prevent incidents before they reach that level.
Police Scotland data revealed about 40% of reported domestic abuse incidents resulted in a crime being recorded.
Officers arrested 500 alleged perpetrators of domestic abuse during its annual “16 days of activism” initiative between 25 November and 10 December, with 380 charged with offences.
Assistant Chief Constable Steve Johnson said the force tackled violence against women and girls “every day of the year”.
He said: “We are relentless in our focus on tackling domestic abuse. It will not be tolerated, and perpetrators will be held accountable.
“No-one should have to experience abuse. We are committed to supporting all victim-survivors, protecting them, and investigating every report of domestic abuse so they can come forward with confidence.”
The senior officer added serial offenders would “face the full force of the law”.
Police Scotland
Stewart Fleming was jailed for 17 years in September for a catalogue of offences against five women
A total of 32 high-harm domestic abusers were jailed in 2025, the force said.
They were convicted of 240 offences against 110 women and children, including rape, sexual assault, stalking, permanent disfigurement, danger to life, threats against pets and a range under the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act.
In September, Stewart Fleming, 31, was jailed for 17 years after being convicted of six charges of rape, one charge of sexual assault and three of assault to injury as well as a catalogue of domestic abuse offences against five women.
All of his victims were known to him, police said.
Meanwhile, Cameron McGregor was jailed for eight years for a 14-year campaign of violence and rape against five women in Dundee and Newport-on-Tay in Fife.
His first offence took place when he was 16.
Abuse has ‘devastating impact’
In England, plans have been put in place to give training to teachers so they can spot and tackle misogyny in the classroom.
High risk students could also be sent on behavioural courses as part of the delayed violence against women and girls (VAWG) strategy unveiled by the UK government.
The Scottish government said it was investing £21.6m in its Equally Safe strategy against violence towards women and girls and £12m on specialist advocacy support for survivors of gender-based violence.
A spokesperson added a “range of actions” were in place in schools to address gender based violence and sexual harassment.
They said: “Domestic abuse is abhorrent and has a devastating impact on those affected.”
Dr Marsha Scott said more could be done to support victims of domestic abuse
Dr Marsha Scott, chief executive of domestic abuse charity Scottish Women’s Aid, said the figures “must never be understood as a measure of the prevalence” of crimes.
She said many victims chose not to report abuse due to fears over being “terrorised” by partners or ex-partners.
Dr Scott said those coming forward to police to record their experiences must be “listened to” at the earliest opportunity.
She added: “Robust responses to ‘high-harm’ abusers are so welcome, and we know that Police Scotland prioritises these cases.
“But we think it is time to ask more, of ourselves and of our criminal and civil justice systems.”
“For decades we have settled for reporting on domestic abuse in Scotland by citing ‘incidents’ reported in hopes that they signalled rising confidence in police response.”
Dr Scott said it was vital to find out of women and children are safer at the earliest opportunity and “not after months or years of ‘high harm’.”
