Domestic abuse programme sees more women than men

FAR more women are receiving safety support from a domestic abuse programme than there are men enrolled in it — raising questions about the true scale of offending going unpunished in Dumfries and Galloway.

The discrepancy has been flagged up in a council social work report which provides stats on the justice system.

The document reviews figures for the court-mandated Caledonian Programme — a behaviour change programme for men convicted of domestic abuse offences.

The programme also provides support services for their (ex) partners and children through advice, practical and emotional support, and help with safety planning.

During quarters three and four of 2025/26, 77 women received support through the Caledonian Women’s Services — yet only 25 men were enrolled on the men’s programme during the same period.

The committee report explains: “The Caledonian programme, which addresses domestic abuse, includes men’s behaviour change work and support for women through safety planning.

“Discrepancies in data were noted, with a high number of women receiving support compared to men enrolled in the programme.”

This may reflect cases where women receive safety planning support even if their partner has not been convicted, is not subject to a court order, or is not participating in any behaviour change work.”

The number of men being ordered by courts to complete the programme is rising. During the reporting period, 25 programme requirements were imposed — compared to 20 the previous year.

A further four men were ordered to complete the Moving Forward Making Changes programme for those convicted of sexual offences, unchanged from the previous year.

However, the overall number of men going through the Caledonian Programme shows a huge gap between punishment and the high level of domestic abuse in this region.

In February last year, the council’s social work chief Stephen Morgan said he was horrified after discovering the true picture of violence towards women and girls in Dumfries and Galloway.

He heard how police were responding to an average of five domestic abuse incidents every day between April and September 2024, with 867 incidents recorded in that six-month period alone.