MORE than 1,000 people have sought information about their partners in the second year of Police Scotland’s Disclosure Scheme for Domestic Abuse in Scotland (DSDAS).

Of the 2,144 requests made to DSDAS since the scheme rolled out nationally on October 1, 2015, 927 people have been told their partner has an abusive past.

Nearly 59,000 incidents of domestic abuse were reported to Police Scotland in 2016-17, an average of one incident every nine minutes, making it the greatest single demand on the police service in Scotland.

DSDAS aims to tackle and prevent domestic abuse by enabling the public to request disclosure from the police if they suspect their current partner may have an abusive past.

Requests can also be made, on their behalf, by a concerned family member, friend or neighbour.

Detective Superintendent Gordon McCreadie, national lead for domestic abuse, said: “It is a deplorable and debilitating crime which can cause lasting damage to individuals, children and families. It is commonly about control with a perpetrator seeking to slowly strip away the liberty, confidence and power of the victim, often through the use of threats, intimidation and violence.

“DSDAS is one way in which we can get ahead of the curve, helping to prevent people from becoming victims before abuse occurs.”