Women and children at risk of domestic or sexual abuse need help “more than ever”, a senior Scottish Government minister warned.
Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf raised his concern despite new official figures showing a big drop in overall offences recorded by police in full month of lockdown.
There was an 18 per cent fall in April compared to the same time last year, including a significant 26 per cent reduction in sexual violence.
But crimes such as fraud are rising. Police and support groups are also concerned about "hidden" abuse during lockdown.Yousaf said: “Some women and children may feel very isolated now, and need our help more than ever.