Scottish Crime and Justice Survey 2023/24: Main findings

Annex D: Future changes to the survey questionnaire

Introduction

A key goal of the SCJS is that it continues to meet the needs of users by, where possible, reflecting the changing nature of crime in Scotland. As such, each year there can be anything from minor wording changes to specific questions, to the development and inclusion of new topics to the questionnaire. During the 2023/24 survey year, substantial progress was made in several key areas of development, such as improvements to the self-completion modules and the inclusion of the new fraud and computer misuse victim form, these changes were detailed in Annex D of the 2021/22 Main Findings Report.

Changes for the 2024/25 questionnaire

For the 2024/25 questionnaire, only one addition was made. Specifically, the inclusion of new questions (QAS) to the perceptions of crime section which asks respondents about whether aspects of anti-social behaviour are common in their local area, including:

• Noisy neighbours or loud parties (QAS_1)
• Rubbish or litter lying around (QAS_2)
• Neighbour disputes (QAS_3)
• Animal nuisances (e.g., noise or dog fouling) (QAS_4)
• People causing disturbances with motorized vehicles (e.g., cars, mopeds, scooters) (QAS_5)

The first findings from these new questions will be included in the 2024/25 main findings report, expected for publication in 2026 at the latest.

Development of questions on non-fatal strangulation for the 2025/26 questionnaire

In response to growing public concern, increased media interest, and calls from victim support groups and other stakeholders, a new set of survey questions was developed to better capture experiences of non-fatal strangulation. There was a clear demand for more accurate data in this area to inform policy and support services. This work also reflects a broader commitment to ensuring the survey remains responsive to emerging evidence needs and relevant to the public discourse.

A set of survey questions has been developed in collaboration with external organisations, victim's groups and experts in survey design. Due to the sensitive nature of these questions additional quality assurance steps were taken during the questionnaire development process. Both internal and external were asked to share their expertise and provide feedback. Once the questions had been refined they were cognitively tested to assess the acceptability and understanding of the new questions. Cognitive interviews were conducted with 10 participants. The questions were then amended in line with the feedback received during the cognitive interviews and included in the 2025/26 survey. These questions aim to measure:

• The proportion of adults who have experienced strangulation during sexual activity
• Whether the experience involved coercion
• Whether it occurred in the past 12 months
• Any resulting impacts, including physical or mental/emotional problems

Findings from the self-completion module are typically published every two years. The initial results from these questions are expected to be published in the 2026/27 main findings report (combining the 2025/26 and 2026/27 survey years). However, analysts will review the first year of results to examine the feasibility of releasing findings earlier.

Other changes for the 2025/26 questionnaire

As part of planned updates for the 2025/26 survey, several changes and additions are being introduced to improve how we capture public experiences and perceptions around emerging issues.

A new question has been added to the existing bank of QACO questions which asks respondents how common certain issues are in their local area. The new question focuses specifically on the misuse of fireworks during times of seasonable celebration:

• "People misusing fireworks or other pyrotechnics, such as flares or smoke bombs, in an antisocial manner in public, during times of seasonal celebration (such as Bonfire Night or Halloween)."

This addition is intended to explore public perceptions of disruptive or disorderly behaviour involving fireworks, rather than incorrect, unsafe, or inconsiderate use. Cognitive testing was conducted to evaluate how respondents interpret the term “misuse” and understand the intent of the question.

Finally, a new question has been added to the QWORR set which asks respondents about whether they are worried about different types of crimes happening to them. This additional question (QWORR_18) asks whether

• You will be spiked - that is, someone will put alcohol or drugs into your drink, cigarette or vape, or inject you with drugs without your knowledge or permission.

This question aims to assess levels of concern around spiking behaviour and how widespread this fear may be among the population. The first findings from the new questions on spiking and misuse of fireworks will be included in the 2025/26 main findings report.