3% of adults in Scotland were subject to psychical or psychological partner abuse last year, the Scottish Crime and Justice Survey 2012/13: Partner Abuse Statistics of Scotland’s Chief Statistician shows.
Overall, the nature of partner abuse experienced by individuals from the age of 16 broadly depended on the victim’s gender; however the instances of such misconduct remained similar to those highlighted in previous studies, regardless of the victim’s sex.
The research found that in terms of psychological abuse, 56% of females had a partner putting them down repeatedly, compared to 28% of males. The figures also show that 37% of women had their partner threatening to hurt them in comparison to 17% of men. Cases in which partners were withholding money from victims were 23% for females and just 8% for males.
Unfortunately, females were the main subject of physical abuse. Women reporting to have been pushed or held down by their partners accounted for 49% against 15% of men. Victims that had been either choked or strangled were 24% female and 3% male. Being forced to have sexual intercourse was experienced by 19% of women compared to 2% of men.
Meanwhile, there were certain forms of abuse that were experienced by a more balanced portion of both men and women. Being kicked, bitten or hit was experienced by 39% of females and 42% of males. Moreover, 38% of males reported that their partner had thrown objects at them, compared to 32% of females. However, 47% of women said they experienced emotional problems as a result of the abuse, compared to just 27% of men.
Only 31% of respondents described their experience of physical abuse as a ‘crime’; which dropped to 24% for those who experienced psychological abuse. Less than 50% of those considered themselves to be a ‘victim’ of domestic abuse.