THE number of older women finding the courage to report domestic abuse is on the rise — but campaigners warn more still needs to be done to help victims.

Inverclyde Women’s Aid revealed that they are seeing more women in their 60s coming to them to escape.

It comes as MSP Jamie Greene calls for greater efforts to flush out those responsible after a worrying rise in the number of domestic abuse incidents reported to the police.

In Inverclyde there was an increase in cases compared with two years ago  — but campaigners say the true figure could be higher still.

Inverclyde Women’s Aid team leader Carol McLaughlin said: “We see a lot more women in their 60s now who have had enough after years of abuse and can’t take it any more.

“We help women who come to us whether they report it to the police or not. So there are sometimes more cases.

“I always think it must take such tremendous courage for women to chap our door. They have often been physically, mentally or sexually abused. But they still find it from somewhere to come to us. That takes real courage.”

Inverclyde Women’s Aid run a refuge in Inverclyde and also offer a whole range of support services for families trying to rebuild their lives.

Carol added: “We have a fantastic relationship with the police. They are brilliant with us. They offer third party reporting. They come to the Women’s Aid and let the women speak somewhere that they feel comfortable.

“It is good that more people feel able to report domestic abuse now. It is definitely taken more seriously now than it used to be. 

“I always say domestic abuse has no boundaries. It can happen to anyone whether they don’t work or whether they are professionals. That is reflected here at Women’s Aid.”

Local MSP Mr Greene highlighted the figures which show that the number of incidents has risen from 812 in 2015 to 872 this year.

The West of Scotland list MSP said: “That number is simply too high and we need to re-double our efforts to tackle this and eradicate it from our community. One case is one too many.

“We need to work on all fronts across the political divide to prevent and combat domestic abuse as well as support survivors.”

Inverclyde Women’s Aid run a refuge in the area and also support families.