Too many living with abuse

Scotland's most senior prosecutor has warned that"no family should face cruelty and danger behind their own front door this Christmas" as figures showed a rise in conviction rates for domestic abuse.

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Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain KC praised a six-year peak in conviction rates but said that"too many women will feel unsafe in their own homes this Christmas", as domestic abuse was likely to "intensify" over the festive period.

She said that"Scotland is shamed by this feature of our society", in a message encouraging survivors to seek help.

She also said the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) was working to make it less daunting to report abuse.