Scotland

This chapter starts with a detailed account of the country’s lockdown experience from March 23 onwards with social distancing rules, staying at home, and among others schools and childcare closed. The three-phase plan to move out of the lockdown is followed by DV-related developments in Scotland, illustrated by graphs and tables. According to police data, domestic abuse cases increased slightly between April and June 2020, and so did the number of recorded incidents as crimes. Types of reported domestic abuse crimes remained in the same dimensions as in the year before. This chapter describes a substantial year-to-year rise in the number of applications to the Scotland Police offender disclosure scheme during the lockdown months. At the same time, the number of known high-risk perpetrators decreased slightly, while the number of those posing the most significant risk increased significantly.

Referrals to the country’s multi-agency risk assessment meeting (MARAC) decreased in April and early May to climb up higher than usual in the time later. This also applies to the number of repeat referrals. The lockdown situation has complicated victims’ support delivered by multi-disciplinary teams. Services had to limit face-to-face interactions and switch to digital communication.

Number of helpline contacts increased sharply.

Survey data stem from qualitative assessments, and the Scotland government’s report on coronavirus and domestic abuse is presented in a table. It contains detailed information on referral rates, support for victims, accessing support, mental health impact, risk and safety planning, perpetrator behaviour, children and experiences of support services.

Internet links for major media coverage are followed by policy developments addressing domestic abuse victimisation and victim support, plus new guidance to tackle abuse during the pandemic.