Concerns as sexual assault crimes rise by 50% in West Dunbartonshire

Concerns over a 50% rise in sex crimes alongside a surge in domestic abuse in West Dunbartonshire between April and June have been raised by a local councillor.

A recent police report presented to the housing and communities committee shows that during the three-month period, domestic abuse rates rose by 13.4% while sexual crime went up by 50%.

The document states that a total of 405 domestic incidents and 87 reports of sexual crime were made to Police Scotland.

During the housing and communities committee, councillor Sophie Traynor said: “I am deeply concerned to see that domestic abuse is up 13.4% and sexual crime is up 50%.

“I think it is even more troubling now for our communities that Clydebank Women’s Aid are no longer there to assist and provide expert skills for those in need.

“As I have said before, the issue is more than just about figures in a report. It is the real lives of women and girls being impacted every day.

“Therefore I am wondering if you are able to provide an update on the work that the police are doing alongside the council with regards to the Violence Against Women and Girls Partnership to tackle the issue more generally.”

The report presented to members states that the increase in sexual crime is exacerbated by the continued reporting of historical offences which has been, in part, facilitated by the evolving safeguarding work centred around victims of domestic violence.

Domestic violence also remains a priority for the division who are constantly working with partners through the Violence Against Women & Girls (VAWG) group, Women’s Aid, Victim Support Scotland and others to prevent, protect and support women and children from abuse.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: “I don’t have an update specifically on that working group that is chaired by detective superintendent Robert Bowie who has overall responsibility for the CID and public protection unit.

“There are a lot of robust measures in place in terms of domestic abuse. I am aware that in terms of this reporting period there has been an increase in both incidents and crimes.

“We have a risk and concern hub that we will liaise specifically with and we have the violence against women and girls group which you referenced there which is overseen by the specialist crime division and held locally.”