Domestic abuse in Scotland statistics: FOI release

Information requested

1. Any internal reports, briefings, modelling, or analysis explaining the recent rise in domestic abuse incidents (2020–2026), including any examination of demographic factors, nationality, immigration status, population changes, or cultural factors.

2. Any unpublished statistical breakdowns of domestic abuse by perpetrator nationality, country of birth, or immigration status.

3. Correspondence or papers discussing the intersection of immigration policy and domestic abuse perpetration or victimisation.

Response

I enclose a copy of some of the information you requested.

1. Any internal reports, briefings, modelling, or analysis explaining the recent rise in domestic abuse incidents (2020–2026), including any examination of demographic factors, nationality, immigration status, population changes, or cultural factors.

2. Any unpublished statistical breakdowns of domestic abuse by perpetrator nationality, country of birth, or immigration status.

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested on the demographics of nationality, country of birth, immigration status, or cultural factors of victims or perpetrators involved in domestic abuse incidents.

The Scottish Government publishes Official Statistics on Domestic abuse in Scotland. This includes rates of both domestic abuse incidents and domestic abuse aggravated crimes and offences recorded by the police per 10,000 population (Table 2 and Table 4). We also publish information on age and gender of victim (Table 7) and perpetrator (Table 8). The data is provided to us by Police Scotland and does not include details on other demographics such as nationality, immigration status, cultural factors or incident circumstances surrounding domestic abuse.

The most recent publication of the above statistics shows that there were 64,967 incidents of domestic abuse recorded by police in 2024-25, an increase of 2% compared to the previous year (2023-24). Despite increasing in both 2023-24 and 2024-25, the most recent figure remains below the peak recorded in 2020-21. Further detail on this can be found in the publication bulletin and  supporting documentation.

Previously Justice Analysis and Strategy division published an evidence review which focused on domestic abuse victimisation and does include some matters relating to immigration. The division also funded a research project studying domestic abuse experiences among South Asian women.

3. Correspondence or papers discussing the intersection of immigration policy and domestic abuse perpetration or victimisation.

The Scottish Government’s Equally Safe strategy recognises that minority ethnic women and girls may face more barriers to support and services than the general population, including barriers linked to immigration status. In this context, work to develop an approach to addressing honour-based abuse and extended family abuse within the Equally Safe delivery plan has considered these factors. This work also recognises that such forms of abuse can overlap with experiences of domestic abuse. While these links are acknowledged, the Scottish Government does not hold specific correspondence or papers focused on immigration policy in relation to domestic abuse.

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