Domestic abuse is a crime - Brown

10.44.12am GMT Tue 29th Dec 2009

Liberal Democrat Justice spokesperson Robert Brown MSP has called for a clampdown on domestic abuse over the festive season, highlighting the damaging toll it takes on individuals and family lives.

Figures from BMA Scotland show that in December and January of last year there were 6,900 reported incidents of domestic abuse.

This is equal to more than 111 reported incidents of domestic abuse every day over this period.

Commenting, Mr Brown said:

"Christmas and New Year is unfortunately the time of year when incidents of domestic abuse peak, often fuelled by excess consumption of alcohol. Last year BMA Scotland recorded more than 111 incidents every day over the festive season.

"This is an appalling toll of damage to individuals, families and often to the children who are bystanders or victims to these events.

"People in close relationships will inevitably have disagreements but there must be no doubt that violence, threats and abuse in a relationship is criminal behaviour, not something to be taken as normal.

"A recent Scottish study revealed that 1 in 3 young men between the ages of 14-18 and 1 in 6 girls of the same age believe that violence is sometimes acceptable in a close relationship.

"This highlights how culturally deep rooted the problem of domestic abuse is in Scotland. It is also a major factor in why there is such a high rate of domestic abuse cases from repeat offenders.

"It must be made crystal clear that there is never any justification or excuse for domestic violence. We must challenge the cultural acceptance of domestic abuse in Scotland. We need to do much more to change engrained attitudes toward domestic violence.

"I welcome the police targeted crackdown on domestic violence. We want to see a true zero tolerance approach to this problem."