Success of specialist abuse court sees cases double

THE number of cases going through Scotland's only domestic abuse court has more than doubled in the last six months.

Hundreds of extra abusers are being channelled through the fast-track justice system in Glasgow, prompting calls for similar schemes in other parts of the country.

Scotland on Sunday can reveal that the court has seen cases the number of cases soar 132% since it was expanded in November, way beyond the anticipated increase of 60%.

The court, and Assist, its associated support agency for victims and their families, has already been dubbed the "murder prevention squad" by the police. Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said yesterday he was "hugely encouraged" as the dramatic rise indicated how seriously the authorities were taking violence in the home.

Senior police officers have privately made it clear they would like to see more specialist courts able to deal quickly and effectively with men – and, rarely, women – who abuse their partners or children and help nurture Scotland's culture of violence.

Chief Inspector Cameron Cavin, of the national Violence Reduction Unit, said: "We would welcome an increase in domestic abuse courts, although that clearly is a matter for others. The domestic abuse court in Glasgow has been a tremendous facility, which offers increased protection for victims and their families and forces offenders to address their issues far more quickly."

Although Scotland on Sunday understands that immediate Government funding for more courts is unlikely, MacAskill has delivered a resounding vote of confidence in the existing set-up.

He said: "I'm hugely encouraged to see that many more victims are benefiting from the expansion of the Glasgow domestic abuse court, reflecting also the priority with which the Violence Reduction Unit and Strathclyde Police have been treating this issue.

"This co-ordinated action is encouraging victims to come forward and ensuring that when they do, the handling of cases is much swifter and an earlier resolution is delivered for all involved.

"Alongside the expansion of the court we have also funded the expansion of the Assist project, in recognition of the highly valued support they provide for both victims of domestic abuse and their children."

Insiders stressed that one of the reasons the court has been so busy was a major blitz on domestic violence over Christmas and New Year across Scotland. There were nearly 7,000 reports of domestic abuse during the six-week campaign, from December 8 to January 18. Police said 6,035 people had been involved – either as victims or witnesses.

This worries police officers, who believe children who see violence in their childhood can suffer, accept or even commit such abuse in adulthood. Cavin said: "We need to break the cycle of violence, starting in the home."

Mhairi McGowan, the manager of Assist – which is run by Glasgow Community and Safety Services, a former council body – said she believed the city abuse court and its support agencies encouraged victims to come forward. "Victims now know that they can get help and justice quickly and they feel more confidence in the system. Over Christmas and New Year police detections, I am told, were up by between 58% and 70%. Reporting by victims increased by 12%."

McGowan added that the figures for domestic abuse incidents being reported to the police had risen year on year. "It is my belief this is due partly to all the partners working together to improve their systems – police, the procurator fiscals, Sheriff Clerk – but also to the creation of the Domestic Abuse Court and Assist. It would be great if there could be more domestic abuse courts – and more Assists."

Police and other agencies do not think increased reporting suggests a rise in actual instances of abuse, although they admit they cannot be sure. "We think this rise is to do with greater confidence from people that they can report," said one source.

The Glasgow Domestic Abuse Court began five years ago to serve a single police division, Strathclyde "G" or Govan Division. It is run by specialist sheriffs who deal with offenders far more quickly than usual, a huge bonus to hard-pressed families who need quick relief, and apply special bail orders that will keep those accused of hurting their families away from their alleged victims.

In November the court was expanded to cover the "A" division in the city's centre and west. In February, domestic abuse cases in Glasgow's third police beat, "B" division, or the north and east of the city, were "clustered" to allow individual sheriffs to develop the specialism. Assist is now able to deal with referrals from all parts of Glasgow.

Police forces across Scotland plan to carry out another high-profile blitz on domestic abusers next Christmas and New Year.