Question reference: S6W-27272
- Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 3 May 2024
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Current status: Answered by Angela Constance on 13 May 2024
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the Scottish Sentencing Council regarding sentencing in cases where miscarriage or forced termination has occurred as a serious aggravation of domestic abuse.
Answer
Instances where miscarriage or forced termination has taken place because of domestic violence reflects the most tragic of circumstances based on the cruel realities of domestic abuse.
Just two weeks ago, this Parliament debated a Petition on the creation of an unborn victims of violence offence, where we heard about the harrowing realities of domestic abuse that were suffered by the Petitioner, Nicola Murray.
Following the debate, my officials have been in contact with the Sentencing Council to ascertain the next steps in their development of guidelines on domestic abuse. As this Parliament recognised, the outcome of this work is fundamental in determining next steps. I look forward to how this progresses as we look to root out and tackle the toxic masculinity and gender inequality that leads to violence, harassment, misogyny and abuse against women.