Shocking new statistics published this week revealed that a record number of crimes were committed last year under the Domestic Abuse Act.
The Scottish Government Recorded Crime publication showed that there were 1,781 recorded crimes in 2022-23. That is the highest level ever.
It comes after years of domestic abuse incidents reaching record highs. In the last single year of data alone, there were 64,807 incidents of domestic abuse recorded by the police in Scotland.
This number is of course far higher than the recorded crimes figure since it includes every single incidence of domestic abuse.
All of these statistics reiterate the pressing need for the government to do more to tackle the scourge of domestic abuse.
The worrying rise in domestic abuse crimes should be a wake-up call to SNP ministers that victims need more support and protection.
Behind all of these tragic numbers are victims left suffering and families left broken.
That's why I have consistently been raising the issue of domestic abuse in the Scottish Parliament.
In particular, I have been working hard to develop my Domestic Abuse Register Bill proposal which is progressing through the parliamentary process and I would encourage MSPs from all parties to consider supporting it, so we can crack down on this reprehensible crime.
During the consultation process for my bill, 23 organisations voiced support for my proposal. And more than 91 per cent of all people and organisations who responded to the consultation were supportive, with 86 per cent of respondents saying they were “fully supportive”.
The support has been very encouraging but I am not getting complacent for a second. I will continue seeking to win over and earn support from MSPs from all parties, so my bill proposal can soon become a reality.
My bill is vital because it would help to protect victims, increase knowledge and understanding of domestic abuse, and give the police additional resources to help tackle this appalling crime.
We know more needs to be done on this issue. Just last month, the Scottish Parliament Justice Committee found that progress on the implementation of the 2018 Domestic Abuse Act has been too slow.
The latest figures released this week only compound the need to act faster.
The ball is now in the SNP's court. They can choose to work with me and bring in a Domestic Abuse Register.
Or they can choose to keep pursuing the same old approach that is clearly not working well enough.
For the sake of victims and all those at risk of suffering from domestic violence, I hope they do the right thing and back my bill.
