Scotland's Lord Advocate pledged to continue to use the "full force of the law" to prosecute domestic abusers as the number of charges reported to the area's Procurator Fiscal Office dropped by five per cent.

Dorothy Bain KC renewed the commitment of prosecutors to support victims and children suffering through domestic abuse as the country's annual report on charges was published.

The figures showed 779 reports were made to Dumbarton's Procurator Fiscal in 2022/23, down by 40 from 2021/22.

The drop, from 819, comes as Scotland saw an eight per cent decrease in charges with a domestic abuse identifier reported to COPFS.

Speaking on the publication of the new figures, Lord Advocate Bain KC said: “No one should have to live in fear of a partner or former partner.  The trauma suffered by victims – and children who witness these crimes – is profound and distressing. 

“At COPFS, we recognise domestic abuse as a scourge on our society, to be tackled with every means at our disposal.   

“We know that crimes perpetrated behind closed doors are every bit as serious as those which may be witnessed by many.  Perpetrators must be brought to justice. 

“Scottish prosecutors understand that robust and effective prosecution is crucial, along with the work of our justice partners, to building safer lives for victims, their children and all in our communities.” 

The report detailed the vast majority of charges identified as relating to domestic abuse are prosecuted. 

An initial decision was made to proceed to court with 94 per cent of charges in 2022/23.

The most common types of offences reported across Scotland in 2022/23 with a domestic abuse identifier were threatening and abusive behaviour offences (27 per cent), common assault (24 per cent) and crimes against public justice (23 per cent, including bail offences).

The Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018 came into force on April, 12019, creating a new statutory offence of engaging in a course of behaviour which is abusive of a partner or ex-partner.

In 2022/23, 1,753 charges were reported under this legislation, accounting for 5.8 per cent of all domestic abuse charges reported. 

A total of 921 stalking charges were reported to COPFS in the last year and 485 (53 per cent) were identified as domestic abuse.  

In total, Scotland saw 30,139 domestic abuse charges reported across its 41 COPFS offices, down from 32,776.