Chou Turvey comments on 14% rise in domestic abuse charges reported to Crown Office

Commenting on 34,586 charges of domestic abuse being reported to the Crown Office in 2025-26, a 14% rise compared to the previous year, and the highest number of charges reported since 2014-15, Scottish Liberal Democrat justice spokesperson Yi-pei Chou Turvey MSP said:

“With the majority of domestic abuse cases involving a female victim and a male perpetrator, this disturbing increase reveals there is still a long way to go in ending violence against women and girls.

“Ultimately, there are still men in this country who do not view women as human beings. I am worried that efforts to address misogynistic and violent attitudes have stalled, including the extremely delayed implementation of domestic abuse protections, which parliament passed over five years ago.  

“I wrote to the First Minister about this issue at the beginning of the summer, but two months on, I have yet to receive a reply.

“That is why I have now sought an urgent meeting with the Justice Secretary for clarity on how exactly the government plans to translate its warm words into action.”