The next item of business is a debate on motion S4M-11789, in the name of Michael Matheson, on violence against women. I call Michael Matheson to speak to and move the motion. Cabinet secretary, you have a maximum of 10 minutes.
15:31
On behalf of the Scottish Government, I am pleased to open this debate on such an important issue as working in partnership to end violence against women. It is intolerable that violence against women is still a feature of Scottish life and that thousands of women, children and young people are affected by it. It has no place in the Scotland that we all want.
This debate is timely, coming as it does during the annual 16 days of action campaign, which is a global campaign to raise awareness of the need to eliminate violence against women. The global 16 days of action is welcome as it assists in providing a focus on this important issue. What is already happening in Scotland is, of course, 365 days of action, as day in and day out the police, prosecutors, our courts, advocacy groups and other key stakeholders tackle the blight on our society that is violence against women.
I welcome the opportunity in this debate to do two things: to set out to members our proposals for tackling violence against women in the coming year, and to highlight the excellent work that is being done in our communities to overcome violence against women.
I pay tribute to our many police officers who are doing their utmost to keep our communities safe and to bring the perpetrators of such crimes to account. I pay particular tribute to our specialist advocacy and support services, including Scottish Women’s Aid, Rape Crisis Scotland and ASSIST—the advice, support, safety, information, services together project. Those organisations give support, advice and comfort to women, children and young people at a time of great need. Those organisations, and a great many others including Zero Tolerance, the Women’s Support Project, White Ribbon Scotland and Engender—to name but a few—have over many years helped to raise awareness of, and to influence and shape our understanding of, men’s violence against women.
I would like to take a moment to reflect on what has been accomplished this year. Having effective laws in place and enforced is a crucial part of our strategy in this area of policy, which is why we have strengthened the law to make forcing a person into marriage a criminal offence, thereby adding to the existing civil protection of forced marriage protection orders. We have launched “Equally Safe: Scotland’s strategy for preventing and eradicating violence against women and girls”. We have begun an extensive programme of work to tackle female genital mutilation, including the strengthening of existing law to ensure that individuals who are not permanent United Kingdom residents can still be tried in the Scottish courts; the establishment of a short-life working group to make recommendations to strengthen our approach on female genital mutilation; and the provision of £20,000 to the Scottish Refugee Council to undertake a range of research activity, including research on best practice in other parts of the UK and Europe.
We have also worked with Police Scotland on the development of its disclosure scheme for domestic abuse, alongside partners including the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, Scottish Women’s Aid and ASSIST. That scheme—commonly known as Clare’s law—enables people in relationships and their close family and friends to ask for information about a partner’s background if they suspect that that partner has a history of violence. The two pilot schemes in Aberdeen and Ayrshire began last week and I am very hopeful that, following a successful evaluation, the scheme will be rolled out right across Scotland.
We welcome the excellent work that Police Scotland has undertaken on domestic abuse, rape and sexual assault, and the focus and energy that it has given to tackling those crimes. Police Scotland has improved investigation of rape and other sexual crimes and has set up a new national rape task force and a rape and sexual crime external advisory group, which operate across Police Scotland to inform and improve rape investigation. Last week, I visited one of Police Scotland’s specialist rape investigation units in Livingston, where I met Detective Superintendent Pat Campbell to hear more about the vital work that the unit undertakes.
In setting out our programme for government last week, we announced that we would consult on the introduction of a new specific criminal offence of domestic abuse. We intend to do that in early 2015. I want to explain why. We have listened to those who deal with domestic abuse day in, day out—prosecutors and advocacy groups, including Scottish Women’s Aid and ASSIST—and they have said that our current laws do not properly reflect the experience of domestic abuse.
A range of current laws can be used to prosecute domestic abuse, including the common law of assault and the statutory offence of threatening and abusive behaviour. However, those laws tend to focus on the prosecution of individual instances of criminal behaviour, for example an assault or a threat, but we know that the full seriousness and impact of a particular incident can be truly understood only when we recognise and understand how it sits within a broader pattern of control, coercion and abusive behaviour, whereby an abuser attempts to exert control over every aspect of their partner’s life. In some cases, an abuser may never resort to physical violence, so strong are their control over their partner and the fear that the partner has of that control.
The dynamics of domestic abuse are very complex and we appreciate that there is no simple solution or easy fix. However, we think that the time has come to seek views on whether a new specific offence of domestic abuse—one that reflects how such abuse is actually experienced by victims—will enable our justice system to respond better to domestic abuse and ensure that victims are able to tell the whole story of what has happened to them when their case comes to court.
Last week’s programme for government also announced that we will begin work to create a specific offence to deal with revenge porn, which is the malicious distribution by a person of intimate images of their partner or former partner. It is often, but not always, motivated by a desire for revenge over the end of a relationship. Organisations such as Scottish Women’s Aid as well as members of this Parliament, including Christina McKelvie and Alison McInnes, have highlighted that revenge porn is a growing problem, especially as we become increasingly tech-savvy and social media become intrinsic parts of our lives and relationships.
In July 2013, Scottish Women’s Aid launched the website “Stop Revenge Porn Scotland” to raise awareness of the issue and to provide a forum for women who have been victimised in that way to share their stories. The Scottish Government’s position on the issue is clear: it is completely unacceptable for anyone to breach the trust of another person by posting intimate personal photos online.
There are already offences that can be used to prosecute that conduct and many of the perpetrators have been brought to justice, but there is some evidence to suggest that victims often do not come forward because they do not know that a crime has been committed against them. A new offence will help to raise awareness and will send a strong and clear message to anyone who might be tempted to share such images without consent: “Proceed and you will face the full force of the law.” It will also enable us to monitor the scale of the problem better.
The desire, drive and determination to rid our society of the scourge of violence against women has united this Parliament since its very early days.
Will the cabinet secretary take an intervention?
I am afraid that the cabinet secretary has to close.
After it was re-established in 1999, one of the Parliament’s first member’s business debates, which was secured by the Labour MSP Maureen Macmillan, was on domestic abuse. I do not believe that the passion and commitment for tackling the issue on the part of all parties in the chamber has in any way diminished in those 15 years.
Cabinet secretary, I must ask you to close.
If ever an issue transcended party politics, this is it. Together we can make a difference.
I move,
That the Parliament affirms its commitment to ending violence against women and to supporting women, children and young people who are affected; supports the 24th year of the UN 16 Days of Action Against Gender Violence; welcomes the publication of Equally Safe, Scotland’s strategy for preventing and eradicating violence against women and girls; endorses the inclusion of far-reaching priority actions in the programme for government to address domestic abuse and revenge pornography; welcomes the introduction of Police Scotland’s pilot Disclosure Scheme for Domestic Abuse in Scotland; acknowledges the positive developments made collaboratively utilising partnerships across Police Scotland and the NHS and specialist services to eradicate honour-based violence, with the criminalisation of forced marriage and establishment of the Female Genital Mutilation Short-Life Working Group; commends the valuable contribution that voluntary and third sector organisations such as Scottish Women’s Aid, Rape Crisis Scotland and the Women’s Support Project make to the shaping of Scotland’s approach to violence against women and for the vital support that they provide to women, children and young people who have experienced or are experiencing violence or abuse, and this year congratulates White Ribbon Scotland on its eighth anniversary of positive campaigning to ensure that men are part of Scotland’s strategy to end gender-based violence.
There is no extra time in the debate, I am afraid.
15:41
I welcome the cabinet secretary to his new duties and indicate support for the Government motion. I seek also to engender support from across the chamber for the amendment in my name.
I acknowledge all that the cabinet secretary said at the end of his speech and reflect the value of those words. I dedicate what I say this afternoon to a woman whom I first met 43 years ago. Unfortunately, I could not help her, and in the week before Christmas, she became my first homicide inquiry. The reason for the violence on that day—the culmination of two years of domestic abuse—was that, in the absence of her partner, who was the father of one of her children, she had had the temerity to purchase some Christmas presents for the children. On his return from the pub, the partner was so enraged by that action that not only did he decide that he was going to beat this woman, but he took his shoes off, put on a pair of boots in order that he could deliver the blows more effectively, and proceeded for the afternoon to kick her, stamp on her, slap her and punch her to death.
The reality of that incident I rehearse today because, in the 43 years since, thousands of women in Scotland have faced the same kind of behaviour and some have died. Behind that are hundreds of thousands of women and girls who suffer psychological abuse and what we would call minor physical abuse, all with a view to demeaning and controlling their futures—unfortunately, primarily by men.
In 2012-13, more than 60,000 incidents of domestic abuse were recorded in Scotland. It is a matter of record that women often suffer the abuse more than five times before they make an official report. Once that report is made, the women and the children whom they seek to protect are left in limbo as they try to deal with the consequences of the abuse.
In the past, the authorities have often encouraged those who are being abused to move away and leave the home that they share with their abuser. However, between 2003-04 and 2012-13, the number of incidents in which ex-partners and ex-spouses have abused a victim rose from 32 to 44 per cent, so merely separating women from their abusers in order to try to bring a conclusion to the abuse is limited in its impact. As a result, services need to consider how they can best support women who are abused.
There are matters to be considered by the cabinet secretary in relation to the way in which the justice system responds to reports. Domestic abuse cases that are going through our courts in Glasgow and Edinburgh are suffering delays. A family that has made a complaint about an abuser can ill afford a delay in justice being delivered, so some form of respite must be offered to them. I urge the cabinet secretary to look at the reasons for the delays and to intercede where he can to ensure that delays are kept to an absolute minimum.
We must ensure that the significant funding for dealing with domestic abuse, in particular funding of third sector organisations, is utilised to its best. Victim Support, Scottish Women’s Aid, Rape Crisis and many other agencies operate very effectively in the circumstances, but together they can do only so much. My amendment seeks to open minds to considering the further efforts that the Government can and should make in order to change the nature of relationships between men and women in this country. For example, we can create in the education environment a new ethos that seeks to engender respect between boys and girls, and between men and women.
Does Graeme Pearson acknowledge that the media have a role to play in this context—in particular the media outlets that encourage objectification, especially sexual objectification, of women?
Mark McDonald beat me by a heartbeat in making that comment, because my next bullet point is about the media’s and the internet’s impact in this context. I have no doubt that the cabinet secretary knows that we need, through the United Kingdom authorities, Europe and the United Nations, to address how we might best turn the corner and ensure that the page 3 culture is not projected as a way of life in Scotland, and that a report that seeks to deliver a strategy for gender equality in order to deal with the issues should be considered by the cabinet secretary, and its findings implemented, where appropriate.
I point out that class has no bearing on who suffers domestic abuse. We need to bear it in mind that people who are more affluent and middle class often protect themselves from the embarrassment that comes with reporting domestic abuse.
The provision of support for victims needs attention. There is no doubt that budgets are stretched, but the cabinet secretary would do well to identify the elements that work effectively and then to deliver them on behalf of victims and their families. He should invest the funds that we do have in what works to ensure its long-term delivery.
You should draw to a close, please.
Too often, the organisations that deliver services have to spend their time looking at how to get funding instead of delivering services.
The procurator fiscal service that lies behind the court provision that I mentioned is an important element that we need to deliver going forward.
I welcome the consultation on legislation to address domestic abuse and revenge porn and I look forward to contributing to the outcomes that we achieve in relation to that.
I move amendment S4M-11789.1, to insert at end:
“, and encourages the Scottish Government to enhance its efforts to deal head-on with the prevailing culture, exacerbated by some media, music and internet content, which promotes the view of women as sexual objects rather than as human beings who are worthy of the same equal rights and respect as men”.
I call Nanette Milne. You have up to five minutes, please.
15:48
First, I formally congratulate the cabinet secretary on his new role. This is the first time I have faced him in the chamber since his promotion. In his previous role as Minister for Public Health he responded to many a member’s business debate on health-related issues in which I participated, and I will miss his contributions there.
I am pleased to take part in this debate and to support the motion, which I am sure will attract cross-party consensus because we all want to see an end to violence against women, and to support the women, children and young people whose lives are blighted by it. I am also happy to support the amendment in the name of Graeme Pearson because there is no doubt that women are often portrayed as sexual objects by some media and other channels, which is not acceptable in the 21st century,
In passing, I also want to acknowledge the plight of the increasing number of men who are the victims of domestic abuse and who are often forgotten because they are very much in the minority, although their suffering, in particular their psychological suffering, is no less than that of female victims.
Domestic abuse is largely hidden and unreported, but it takes place right across society. It takes many forms, both psychological and physical, and it causes untold misery not only to the immediate victim but to children, who may witness regular assaults on their mother. The mental scars that those children bear last a lifetime.
It is encouraging that an increasing number of women are finding the courage to report domestic abuse, but it is disturbing that as recently as two years ago 30 per cent of people who were prosecuted for such crimes were let off without punishment. Surely that cannot be tolerated. Perpetrators of violent and sexual crimes against women must be penalised for their actions, so we welcome the forthcoming consultation on legislation on domestic abuse.
There are many forms of violence against women apart from domestic abuse, including rape and sexual assault, stalking and harassment and commercial sexual exploitation, which includes human trafficking. Jenny Marra has done a great deal of work to expose that abuse of women, and I am pleased that the Scottish Government has supported her efforts by promising to introduce a human trafficking and exploitation bill next year.
Some other forms of violence against women are largely restricted to certain ethnic communities within our society. For example, honour crimes are known to account for the deaths of 12 women a year in the UK, although that is likely to be an underestimate, and last year the UK Government’s forced marriage unit dealt with more than 1,300 cases of forced marriage, of which about 3 per cent originated in Scotland.
However, I want to focus on female genital mutilation, which is a brutal act of violence against young women and children. It is often performed without anaesthetic and with dirty, makeshift and shared implements, and it can lead to immediate and long-term physical health problems and to psychological consequences that ruin the lives of many victims. It has been rife in parts of Africa, the middle east and Asia for many years, but is increasingly found in the western world among immigrant and refugee populations.
FGM is deeply embedded in the culture of practising communities—not because of religion, because it is not a requirement of any religion, but rather as a rite of passage to womanhood and a requirement for acceptability as a wife. Sadly, the custom is often perpetrated by the older women in a community, who have undergone FGM themselves and see it as a necessary and, indeed, loving ritual that will secure the best future for their daughters and granddaughters. The practice is kept very private within communities and, because relatives are often involved, statistics are hard to come by. A study in England and Wales as far back as 2007 estimated that nearly 66,000 women aged between 16 and 49 living in the UK had undergone FGM, and that more than 24,000 girls were at risk.
I was a member of the Equal Opportunities Committee just before the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation (Scotland) Bill was passed in 2005, and I well remember the harrowing evidence that was presented to us—very secretively—at the time. I am appalled that there have been no prosecutions in the nine years since the bill was passed and that the Equal Opportunities Committee is again having to take evidence from the communities in which the practice is rife. Obviously, it takes time and education to overcome such a deep-seated custom, but that really needs to be backed up by enforcement of the legislation.
A debate such as this can only scratch the surface of an issue as diverse as violence against women is, and I have dealt with only a very small part of it. However, I welcome all the steps that the Scottish Government and the various organisations that are mentioned in the motion are taking to try to stamp out violence against women and to support those who are affected by it.
It is clear that much remains to be done, but I particularly welcome Police Scotland’s disclosure scheme for domestic abuse—or Clare’s law, as it is known—which is being piloted in my home city of Aberdeen and in Ayrshire. It provides a formal mechanism for women who are worried about a partner’s past record of abuse to make inquiries about him. I also welcome the work that the FGM short-life working group is undertaking as a step forward in eradicating that atrocity.
I look forward to hearing all the contributions to this debate, which will no doubt be as diverse as the range of violent behaviours that blight the lives of many women, children and young people in Scotland. Of course, I support all efforts to eradicate those behaviours.
We move to the open debate. We are very tight for time, so I ask for speeches of up to four minutes.
15:53
I, too, welcome Michael Matheson to his new post as Cabinet Secretary for Justice.
I thank the many local, national and international organisations, some of which are represented in the public gallery today, for the work that they carry out on behalf of women who suffer abuse and violence, and the support that they give them. I was particularly struck by what Nanette Milne said about the international aspects of female genital mutilation and trafficking. Those are important issues and, as a member of the Equal Opportunities Committee, I look forward to its inquiries into FGM.
I also thank the cabinet secretary for his worthwhile commitment to what has been put forward in the Scottish Government’s programme for government. He explained the approach a lot better than I could, but then he had more time.
As we know, the programme for government contains four key commitments for tackling domestic abuse and revenge porn. First, there is the specific offence of committing domestic abuse. Secondly, there will be, as Nanette Milne has pointed out, legislation to address revenge porn. Thirdly, leading academics will be brought together to examine the causes of domestic abuse and to share evidence of what can be done to prevent domestic abuse and reduce harm. For me, that is one of the key aspects. Fourthly, there is Clare’s law, which has already been mentioned.
Graeme Pearson’s amendment, which I fully support, touches on a number of issues, not just human trafficking but page 3 and the portrayal of women as sex objects. I am talking not just about women of a certain age; we have seen how society treats and expects certain things from young girls. That is a real worry; in fact, it is a cultural thing and, in order to tackle it, we have to go down as far as that level.
The issue is summed up on page 23 of the “Equally Safe” report. These are not my words, but the words of those who wrote the report on behalf of the Scottish Government and COSLA:
“The media, too, has a powerful influence in either reinforcing or challenging the attitudes and norms that contribute to violence against women. Numerous studies link sexualised violence in the media to increases in violence towards women, rape myth acceptance”—
which is an important point—
“and anti-women attitudes. This is particularly worrying when the images used”
are of
“very young women.”
I hope that all aspects of the media are listening to those words. We have to get across the point that women are not sex objects to be looked at; they are equal with men, and they should be treated equally. As I have said, I support Graeme Pearson’s amendment, because we really need to examine the issue.
I know that we are tight for time, Presiding Officer, so I will finish there.
Excellent—if others follow Sandra White’s example, we will get everyone in.
15:57
I welcome Michael Matheson to his post and, indeed, I welcome the publication of “Equally Safe”, the refreshed violence against women strategy.
The strategy itself contains no great changes of direction, except that it now covers violence against girls. As always, the test will be what we do in practice, whether more people are held accountable for their actions and whether we change attitudes towards the perpetrators as well as the victims of such violence.
In the short time available, I want to raise two issues, the first of which is the growing problem of sexual exploitation of women and girls. Given that many adults in prostitution have already been abused or exploited as girls, the change in definition in this respect in “Equally Safe” is welcome. Those who exploit girls can be held to account but, as we have seen in Rotherham, that is not always easy, as exploitation and grooming are not widely understood.
What really struck home was a comment made by someone involved in that case, who asked, “How do we stop a child escaping into the hands of an abuser?” That shows how effective grooming can be, and it says something about our care system that children find more affection at the hands of an abuser rather than in the hands of the state. That is an issue for another debate, but we really need to tackle the problem.
Although I welcome the continued recognition in “Equally Safe” of prostitution as violence against women and girls, we need to do more than recognise the fact—we need to do something about it. The Scottish Government can deal with the issue by criminalising the purchase of sex acts; decriminalising those who are exploited; making support available to them; and providing them with routes out and the support that they need to put their lives back together.
Making such a step change would show real courage and commitment. Indeed, it has already happened in Northern Ireland and, while I applaud that vision, I am also disappointed that Scotland, which used to lead the way in the United Kingdom in steps to tackle violence against women, now lags behind.
In the time that remains, I want to talk about domestic abuse and parental contact. A parent’s violence towards their partner causes untold damage to the child. Reports state that the damage is the same as the damage that is caused when the child itself is abused. Our justice system then continues to force further abuse by granting contact.
That has to change. The accepted position must be that an abusive parent never gets contact unless they can prove that their behaviour has changed. Contact enables the parent to continue to perpetrate the abuse, using the child as the weapon. I have had numerous constituency cases in which that has happened. The abusive parent uses contact visits to control the mother by changing the times, bringing the child back early or late, and grooming the child against their mother.
I have also had cases in which the child itself was being abused but the mother was forced to continue to make the contact rather than be in contempt of court. I have had cases in which a restraining order was in place but contact was used to force the child to divulge where the family was living so that the abuse could continue. Such a situation not only means numerous moves for the family but leaves the child feeling responsible, which causes more damage.
I have had headteachers write to tell me that, if the mother loved her child, she would attend parents nights with her abusive ex-partner, even though she is in fear for her life.
We need domestic abuse training for professionals in every field that deals with children and families—not just the police but people in the justice system and health and education professionals.
We are rightly proud of what we have achieved since Maureen Macmillan’s speech in 1999, but we have an awfully long way to go if we are to free women and girls from violence.
16:01
Violence against women is wrong in any circumstances. It is clear that we all agree with that. It physically hurts those who are attacked, but often the psychological scars that it leaves are even worse.
In many cases, the worst kind of violence is domestic violence. Members should just think how awful it must be to worry about what will set him off tonight—it is almost always a him, despite some of the emails that we have received—and to wonder whether he is drunk, has had a bad day or is just in the mood to take it out on his partner. What way is that for anyone to live?
That is why I want to talk about the Daisy Project, in my constituency. The project was formerly known as the Domestic Abuse Project or DAP. It is one of the many great groups across the country that do invaluable work to support women and families who have been affected by domestic violence.
The Daisy Project recognises that domestic violence does not happen in a vacuum and that it can have long-term and wide-ranging impacts. It knows that there is no one-size-fits-all solution and that each family has different needs. It is based in Castlemilk and it is easily accessible to people who require assistance. Over the past three years it has helped 300 people in the south side of Glasgow to address issues of domestic abuse. Services include one-to-one support, small-cell group work, personal development, training, access to services and agency assistance.
The project also set up the self-help group Women against Violent Environments—WAVES—which is led by the extraordinary Bessie Anderson. WAVES empowers women to address issues, including domestic abuse, to overcome the drawbacks of poverty, including the less-talked-about aspects of isolation and self-esteem, and to regain control of their lives. WAVES is supported in its aims by local housing associations and nurseries, which act sensitively when issues of gender-based violence are raised and try to do what they can to ensure that the women and children are housed and educated appropriately.
I feel privileged when I get the opportunity to meet and support such organisations, but the truth is that I wish I did not have to. I have seen how difficult life can be for families and I wish that they had never had to go through such experiences. I have heard about kids becoming withdrawn and about how long it can take to get them to come out of their shells, and I have seen how so often the male perpetrator’s behaviour can leave a family near financial destitution, with all the problems that that brings.
Every year I run a Christmas toy appeal in my constituency. People are invariably responsive, generous and kind. The toys are passed on to local churches and groups in the constituency, including WAVES. It broke my heart when I was told that for some of the kids their present will be the only substantial one that they get over the festive period—not because their mum does not love them but because of the mayhem that violence against a woman creates.
That sobering fact is behind my whole-hearted support for the Government’s violence against women strategy, “Equally Safe”, which was published in June. Lily Greenan, manager of Scottish Women’s Aid, said:
“The publication of Equally Safe is a significant step towards addressing and preventing that violence.”
The strategy was also welcomed by the police, the Solicitor General for Scotland and local and national bodies, including ASSIST.
We know that violence against women is, at heart, an issue of power. It is accepted that one of the primary causes of domestic abuse and one of the biggest barriers to tackling it is persistent and consistent gender inequality between men and women, which we all have a responsibility to address. I was pleased with the message that the First Minister sent out when we ended up with Scotland’s first 50:50 Cabinet.
Ban Ki-moon said:
“there is one universal truth, applicable to all countries, cultures and communities: violence against women is never acceptable, never excusable, never tolerable.”
It is clear that, across the chamber, we agree with that universal truth, and there is considerable political and civic will in Scotland for domestic violence to become an issue of the past. However, until it is—I hope that that day will come soon—I thank goodness that we have such important organisations as the Daisy Project and WAVES to assist the victims of that insidious crime.
16:05
I welcome the motion and the document “Equally Safe”, which was produced this week. As the document says, it is not a delivery plan but a strategic framework. Therefore, we need to see a robust action plan with clear, measurable outcomes and timescales, as was promised at the launch. It seems that the timetable for that plan has slipped a bit, so it would be good to get an update from the minister on when it will be developed.
I was pleased to see the document restate the position of the Parliament from the start:
“Gender-based violence is a function of gender inequality, and an abuse of male power and privilege.”
I was also pleased to see the emphasis that it puts on prevention and addressing those systematic inequalities as well as the attitudes and assumptions that give rise to violence and abusive behaviour.
In that connection, I also welcome the Labour amendment, which emphasises the cultural context and the way in which the objectification of women and misogyny are fostered by the media and the internet. The whole question of pornography on the internet is a massive issue that is difficult to deal with, but we must do something about it because it is poisoning the attitudes of so many young men—indeed, men in general—towards women and sexual relations. Prevention is crucial, and the work of Zero Tolerance should be closely studied because it has done superb work in the area for more than 20 years.
Over and above prevention, we need the provision of services. Priority 3 in the document talks about women and girls accessing
“relevant, effective and integrated services”.
The motion is right to praise Scottish Women’s Aid, Rape Crisis Scotland and the Women’s Support Project, but many other organisations could be mentioned.
In my constituency, for example, there is the Edinburgh Women’s Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre, whose work is unfortunately more necessary and indispensable than ever. Last year, referrals to the centre were up 20 per cent, and there is currently a 12-month wait for the long-term support and counselling service that it runs. That is why I hope that the centre’s application to the violence against women and girls fund will be successful. All Rape Crisis centres have had a Rape Crisis-specific grant for 10 years, which was set at £50,000 in 2004 and is still £50,000. We welcome the continuation of that fund, but it would be good if it could be increased to some extent.
The third area to mention, after prevention and provision, is protection. Priority 4 in the document states:
“We want women and girls affected by violence and abuse to be supported by a sensitive, efficient and effective justice system.”
In many ways, great progress has been made. For example, the police’s attitude has improved immeasurably and we should praise the work of Police Scotland in the area, along with the work of the rape task force, the domestic abuse task force and, within the justice system, the Solicitor General and the Crown Office reference group. However, women sometimes do not get the protection that they need.
In just the past week, two women in my constituency have approached me because they are not getting the protection that they need, and I am taking up their cases. Furthermore, the problem that the outstanding writer Janice Galloway encountered in relation to the stalking laws was all over the newspapers recently. I am glad that the Scottish Government is looking again at the operation of non-harassment orders, as there seem to be some loopholes. Laws may need to be amended as well as new laws made, and we all welcome the new laws on domestic abuse and revenge porn.
I have two final points. The Scottish Court Service, too, must prioritise this area. It is great to have the domestic abuse courts, which started 10 years ago, but we must do something about the waits for those courts.
You must draw to a close, please.
Recording is also an issue. We have no figures on the number of rapes that are reported to the police and end in a conviction, but it would be useful and important to have such figures.
16:09
Like other members, I welcome the debate, the motion and the amendment, in these, the 16 days in which we all reflect and remember.
I would love to see a day when we do not need to talk about violence against women, when it is just a historical idea. It would be fantastic to live in a world in which Saturday nights after the football were not littered with the battered bodies of wives and girlfriends and brilliant organisations such as Scottish Women’s Aid were no longer needed. More than any other area of social and criminal justice, domestic violence legislation is the one that I would love to be able to say that we no longer need.
I will come back from utopia and into daily realities. The Scottish Government has set out a clear framework—which we welcome—which details its approach to tackling violence against women. It has been welcomed by all leading third sector organisations that work in this field and it is worth noting, particularly today, that White Ribbon Scotland, the campaign to involve men in tackling violence against women, has welcomed the approach.
Along with Malcolm Chisholm, at lunch time today the First Minister, the cabinet secretary and many MSPs, including all the party leaders, were more than happy to sign the White Ribbon statement of intent. The cross-party campaign backing our violence against women strategy is an important element in the equally safe approach.
Men are part of the problem, but they are surely part of the answer. Men talking to other men will probably have a greater impact that women talking to men.
The key to the problem is of course a change in social attitude, and no legislation will ever create that on its own. The way to change social attitudes is to make the behaviour completely unacceptable, with decent education at the earliest stage possible. It might seem like a trivial comparison, but let us look at how unacceptable smoking has become. Legislation kick-started that, but behaviour has turned the law into very good practice.
Another law that seeks to change the cultural environment is Clare’s law, which has been mentioned today. The legislation gives the right to anyone—and I stress that it is anyone, not just those directly involved—to seek information from the police when they see a potential victim or perpetrator. The person who is concerned about someone does not need to be the heterosexual partner, as some people think. They could be someone in a same-sex relationship or a friend, relative, neighbour or even a child. Anyone can apply, and I welcome the pilot.
I do not have time to go into the full process, but the bottom line is that, if a person is concerned that someone could be a potential victim of domestic violence, Clare’s law is the mechanism that will allow them—and the potential victim—to find out more about a potential perpetrator’s background.
Most members will know that, as has been mentioned, there is a six-month pilot of Clare’s law in Ayrshire and Aberdeen. I will be watching it closely and I sincerely hope that it will lead to a full roll-out of the scheme across Scotland. That will be another step on the way to outlawing an abhorrent but daily practice.
I do not have time to go into the issue of revenge porn, but I wish to make my colleagues aware of the consultation that Scottish Women’s Aid is running until January. I will welcome any legislation on that topic.
In the meantime, let every one of us follow White Ribbon’s personal pledge, which most of us signed today. If members have not signed it they can contact Callum Hendry, who will ensure that they get their copy of the pledge to sign. It says:
“I pledge never to commit, condone or remain silent about men’s violence against women”.
I commend the motion and the amendment.
16:13
I, too, congratulate Michael Matheson on his promotion, which is reward for the constructive approach that he has taken in his ministerial duties thus far.
I welcome this timely debate, the pertinent amendment and Graeme Pearson’s powerful contribution. I also welcome the gender equality in the debate and the publication of the strategy, “Equally Safe”.
I add my thanks to the police and the various voluntary and third sector organisations for their contribution. There is no doubt that without the work that they do day and daily to help in very practical ways, Scotland would be a much lonelier, more dangerous place for women and girls who face violence. We must support our voluntary sector to continue to do the excellent work that they do, and I would be interested to understand the implications of the fact that, for example, funding in Orkney for work on violence against women is about half of what was requested. I do not really know what the implications of that are, but it strikes me that they are worth exploring.
The third sector is also due recognition for its enormous input into policy making in the area. Its direct experience of working with women and girls is invaluable, and its determination to effect change is to be commended. All members in the Parliament clearly share that determination, and that is reflected in the strategy and the measures from the programme for government to tackle domestic abuse and revenge pornography, which I welcome.
There are no quick fixes. Legislation can help—it can highlight an issue—but, as Christina McKelvie rightly observed, moving violence against women up the political agenda is not a remedy in itself. Sadly, gender-based violence is still too deep-rooted a problem, and it requires a major cultural shift.
I understand that, in the brief time that we have to debate the issue, at least nine women in Scotland will suffer violence at the hands of their partners. In 2012-13, there were more than 60,000 reported incidents of domestic abuse. The increase in reporting is welcome, but the scale of the problem is self-evident and we know that many incidents go unreported.
To achieve the vision, we need to bring communities with us. We need to instil mutual respect in each and every individual in Scotland. That starts in our homes and schools. The packs of material that are available from Zero Tolerance and other organisations for primary and secondary schools are an excellent resource, as those early years are vital.
As other members observed, we need to look more widely at the issue, which blights societies across the globe. It is only fair to acknowledge the work done by the UK Government—particularly my colleagues Lynne Featherstone and Jo Swinson—not only in the UK but further afield. That includes investing £25 million in a new violence against women and girls research and innovation fund to support new programmes to tackle the problem worldwide. It also includes campaigning for zero tolerance towards female genital mutilation, which Nanette Milne and others mentioned. The practice serves no religious, cultural or medical purpose and can be extremely harmful or even fatal.
Even as a novice to the debate, I am conscious that it is impossible to do justice to the complexity of the issues that we are considering so briefly. However, I welcome the fact that the debate is taking place and the extremely strong and united message that the Parliament is sending out.
I will repeat the comments by Ban Ki-moon that James Dornan quoted earlier:
“there is one universal truth, applicable to all countries, cultures and communities: violence against women is never acceptable, never excusable, never tolerable.”
Yes, our vision and the strategy are ambitious, but aspiring to anything less is unacceptable.
I support the motion and the amendment in Graeme Pearson’s name.
16:18
Looking over some of the briefing papers that were sent to me for the debate made for depressing reading. During 2013-14, 58,976 incidents of domestic abuse were reported. That equates to officers from Police Scotland attending a domestic abuse incident every nine minutes. Although that figure shows a decrease from the number of incidents that were reported the year before, it is still shocking and shows that more needs to be done if we are to eradicate domestic abuse from our society.
Figures obtained by Scottish Women’s Aid show that the reporting of domestic abuse increased by 81 per cent over the same period. According to those figures, 3 per cent of adults had experienced serious sexual assault since the age of 16, but the incidence varied by gender, with 4 per cent of women having experienced serious sexual assault since the age of 16, compared with 1 per cent of men. The overwhelming majority of serious sexual assaults were carried out by men. Figures show the proportion to be as high as 94 per cent. More than 83 per cent of victims knew the offender and 54 per cent said that the abuse was carried out by a partner.
Therefore, it must be acknowledged that progress is grindingly slow. However, that is not a criticism of the Scottish Government or our Parliament. I have the greatest respect for the present Government for the effort and resources that it has put into tackling this massive problem. My respect extends to all previous Administrations in the Parliament, who took violence against women deadly seriously. Since the re-establishment of our Parliament, the attitude and the effort have been outstanding. Although we have our differences on various matters, it is pleasing that all parties are committed to working together to tackle the issue.
Men’s violence against women and indeed children is deeply rooted in our society. It comes from millennia of men having power over women and the lack of equality. The less equality there is, the more likely it is that women will be abused. We need only look at the plight of women worldwide to come to that conclusion.
Therefore, I am pleased on two fronts: I am pleased that Scotland is continuing to seriously tackle and challenge the issue, while at international level Ban Ki-moon—as has already been stated—has made an extremely strong declaration. I suggest that equal rights for women and children should also fit into that great declaration. If that was enacted and it became a reality for women’s rights worldwide, it would have a massive impact on men’s violence against women and children.
Closer to home, I am of the opinion that, if we tackle gender inequality through eradicating differentials in job opportunities, wages, positions of rank and so on, violence against women and children will reduce. In other words, equal status across the genders will equate to equal power and the end of men’s power over women and children.
I commend the motion and the amendment to Parliament.
16:22
Today’s debate brings home the fact that, despite the progress that has been made in recent years, we still have a lot to do to achieve our goal of eradicating violence against women and girls and ensuring that every woman and girl in Scotland can not only live free from fear but can live their lives to the full and achieve their dreams.
We will never achieve true equality in society unless we end the abuse of power and control that is at the root of domestic abuse and violence, and which continues to affect too many women and children across Scotland. As the MSP for Dunfermline, I am very conscious that I am here in Holyrood only because of the offences that my predecessor committed against the women in his life and the fact that those women were finally brave enough to come forward and report the domestic abuse.
A shocking statistic is the fact that one in four women will experience domestic abuse at some stage in their lives. As Graeme Pearson has mentioned, two women every week are killed by an abusive partner or former partner. Domestic abuse happens in every community—there is no class, age or cultural barrier to abuse.
In Fife last year, 4,646 incidents of domestic abuse were reported to the police; 84 per cent of them were reported by women. That is just the tip of the iceberg. Many women continue to stay silent and never find the courage to speak out, never mind the strength and the confidence to make sense of the abusive, controlling or violent behaviour and regain control of their lives.
A few months ago, I attended the launch of Saje Scotland, which is based in Fife. Saje has secured funding from the Big Lottery Fund and is rolling out its groundbreaking freedom programme, which provides emotional and peer support to women who live with domestic abuse and violence. It empowers women to regain control of their lives and equips them with the self-confidence and self-esteem to ensure that power returns to their hands, where it belongs. That work is vital because, before they got help, many of the women whom Saje is helping did not recognise that their relationships were harmful or abusive. It can be really difficult for someone to make positive choices when they are mentally broken and have nowhere to turn. As colleagues have indicated, the way in which the media continues to report stories involving male violence and women generally does not help the situation at all.
I have met some of the women participants in the freedom programme and their stories are truly inspiring. It is a programme that changes lives. Janet Henderson and Sally Sinclair who run the project are doing an absolutely brilliant job, and I encourage the cabinet secretary to visit Saje Scotland to find out more about the valuable work that it does and the way in which it empowers women to regain control of their lives.
The Government’s motion congratulates White Ribbon Scotland on its eighth anniversary. Yesterday, Fife became the first area in Scotland to be awarded a partnership award in recognition of its achievements in promoting White Ribbon Scotland’s brilliant campaign and encouraging men to take the pledge never to commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women. With a quarter of all pledges across Scotland being made in Fife, a healthy male speakers network, a proactive social media campaign and white ribbon lessons in our high schools, Fife is certainly leading the way. That is also the case with projects such as the children experiencing domestic abuse recovery, or CEDAR, project and the multi-agency risk assessment conference, or MARAC, project, which I will have to cut out of my speech, unfortunately, as I am running out of time.
We are seeing positive developments in tackling an issue that continues to impact on too many women and children in Fife and across Scotland, but more needs to be done if we are to achieve a more equal, fairer and more just society, to which we all aspire.
The Scottish Government’s equally safe strategy is extremely welcome, but we must now see concrete action to put it into practice as quickly as possible. I hope that we can work together across the chamber to tackle domestic abuse, support victims and end the gender-based violence that continues to destroy lives, self-esteem and the freedom of too many women and children across Scotland.
16:26
As others have said, domestic violence knows no bounds, from the demeaning to death, and it knows no gender, age or class boundaries. It takes place almost entirely behind closed doors, whether that is behind lace curtains, in housing schemes, in leafy bungalow-land, or even in mansions.
As other members have said, the Police Scotland statistics show that there were 60,080 recorded incidents of domestic violence in 2012-13. I think that the increase of 20,000 from 2003 is in part due to more confidence in reporting those incidents and, indeed, greater police training. I commend Chief Constable Stephen House for the priority that has been given to attacking domestic violence.
I want to focus on age, because the Police Scotland statistics for 2012-13 show that, in the 41 to 50 age group, more than 8,000 incidents were recorded, and in the 51 to 60 age group, nearly 2,500 incidents were recorded. In fact, the 41 to 50 age range peak almost matched the peak of recorded incidents of those in the 26 to 30 age range. I think that all those statistics understate the actual position, but the position may be understated more in the older age groups. I will say why I think that.
I think that domestic violence is quite often not presumed to take place in established relationships. However, what looks like a long and happy marriage may not be that. Publicity campaigns are very welcome, but there is usually the image of a younger women with a younger man who threatens, cows or abuses her when he comes home. That reinforces the stereotype.
The older women may have a different view of whether she has been subject to domestic abuse because of her generational perspectives. She may have a heightened sense of shame, particularly if everyone thinks that she is in a happy and secure marriage. Perhaps there may be apprehension about the reaction of other family members if she says anything about the matter—even to the level of grandchildren. She may feel that, if she says anything, she will be disloyal to the family’s view of a great father figure. She may even fear that she will alienate herself from members of her family. She may even think that that is the way it has to be, because it has always been like that and because domestic abuse can quite often be incremental. It can start with small things, such as the way that a person combs their hair, how they dress, what they say, how they eat their food, where they will go, when they will go, and how they will spend the money. That can grow until the person is really not aware that, in fact, they have been diminished by their partner’s power treatment.
I cannot be the only person in the chamber who has, for example, been in a supermarket and witnessed an older man shouting at his wife or companion with vulgar, distasteful and demeaning language and no sense of shame that he is doing that in a public place. What crosses my mind is that, if he can do that in the middle of a supermarket with people listening, what on earth is he like at home? The other thought that crosses my mind is: why is she taking that? Why is that what she expects to happen to her in a public place?
I have welcomed the cabinet secretary to his new position before. In the publicity campaigns, I suggest that, just on occasion, he shows an older woman who is being abused in a public place with such language so that they, too, will recognise that their human rights are being abused—we have just debated that; that they, too, are entitled to dignity; and that what they are being subjected to is domestic abuse.
16:29
I, too, welcome the cabinet secretary to his new post.
I welcome the opportunity to speak in this debate on violence against women, particularly as North Ayrshire, which I represent, has one of the highest numbers of recorded incidents of domestic abuse in Scotland. Violence against women is wide ranging and covers sexual offences, forced marriages, trafficking, prostitution and honour crimes, as well as domestic abuse. I am sure that all members are concerned that many of those crimes are increasing. I welcome the fact that Ayrshire was selected as a pilot area for Clare’s law, which I hope will prove to be a positive development in the protection of potential victims of violence by men.
Between 2003-04 and 2011-12, the number of domestic abuse incidents that were attended by the police in North Ayrshire increased by 90.5 per cent, from 996 to 1,897. That truly shocking figure resulted in the creation of the multi-agency domestic abuse response team—MADART—which is comprised of the council, the police, NHS Ayrshire and Arran, North Ayrshire Women’s Aid and members of the North Ayrshire violence against women partnership. MADART has since reduced the number of incidents in North Ayrshire by more than 4 per cent in 2012-13. There have been key improvements in other areas, such as a 33 per cent increase in direct support to victims with children and a reduction in the time taken to respond to incidents that involve victims with children, from an average of around 10 days to three days.
MADART shows the benefit of organisations pooling and sharing resources to address victims’ needs. That results in improved communication and information sharing and, most important of all, it provides effective support and better targeting of resources and services for victims. My understanding is that the approach is currently unique to Ayrshire, so perhaps other local authorities should adopt it. Although I welcome the reduction in the number of incidents since MADART was established, we need to keep the momentum going and build on that work, which is the foundation for a long-term programme that needs to be supported. With all that in mind, I was appalled to learn that SNP-held North Ayrshire Council proposes to replace the holistic service that North Ayrshire Women’s Aid provides with a watered-down version minus services for children and for women with addictions, and also to cut the funding to that reduced service by 20 per cent.
I will be keeping a watchful eye on the outcome of Clare’s law. I expect that the assessment of the pilot will show that some women have been prevented from becoming involved with known violent men and that the measure will then be rolled out across Scotland, as the cabinet secretary said.
I commend the MADART initiative for its role in driving down domestic abuse in the Ayrshire area and I hope that it continues to be supported. The scheme should be replicated across Scotland. Most important of all, on behalf of the women in North Ayrshire, I ask the cabinet secretary to intervene in the proposals of SNP-held North Ayrshire Council to cut the holistic services and funding of North Ayrshire Women’s Aid in an area that desperately needs to protect women from abuse in their homes.
16:33
As a man, I am part of the problem. I have not always spoken out and I have not always intervened when people have made comments or acted in a way that ought to be challenged. Many of us would acknowledge that, sometimes, we decide that the quiet life is the easy life and we allow such attitudes to permeate. I have intervened in the past—I remember many years ago ending up on the deck on Union Street in Aberdeen when I intervened in a situation. At the time, I felt that it was better that I was the one who took the punch. However, on the day when I signed the statement of intent, I resolved that I will do better and do more, and that I will not stand by and allow such attitudes to be put out in a way that is seen as banter but which all too often perpetuates a sinister element in society.
I welcome the remarks by the cabinet secretary because, in the debate on the programme for government, I raised the issue of the psychological element of domestic abuse. Violence—physical and sexual—must absolutely be tackled and stamped out, but the psychological element is often in place for a long time before it manifests in physical or sexual violence. If we are able to tackle that psychological element, we can often prevent women from falling into the situation in which they are abused physically or sexually.
On the control and coercion element, often we see situations in which a woman has gone back to a man who is abusing her and there are questions about why she has done that. It comes back to psychological control and coercion and the fact that, in many instances, the woman has been made to feel that she is deserving of the treatment that she is receiving. Christine Grahame summarised that eloquently. The Government has my full support in its attempt to tackle the psychological element. I recognise that there will be difficulties in doing that, but it is important that it is tackled as well as the physical element.
I also welcome the roll-out of Clare’s law in my home city of Aberdeen and I hope for its success. I will certainly be looking forward to seeing how that is assessed.
I want to end on the issue of media perceptions. I agree entirely with what Graeme Pearson said about page 3 culture. Page 3 should have gone a long time ago. Now is the time for the end of page 3 and other outlets that propagate that kind of approach to using women in their publications. However, there is a wider issue around objectification. Many of us will have been horrified by the decision of ITV2 to broadcast the comedian—I use the term loosely—Dapper Laughs. He is a character, apparently, of Daniel O’Reilly, whose entire show is based on making light of what is, essentially, sexual assault and sexual abuse of women. That that could even find its way on to the schedule of one of our major broadcasters is abhorrent. I welcome the belated decision to cancel the show.
I also welcome the decision of Theresa May—which does not happen often—to refuse a visa to Julien Blanc, the supposed pick-up artist from the United States, who wanted to come over here and spread the notion that sexual assault and abuse of women is just banter. We have to ensure that the strongest representations are made to broadcasters and Ofcom that that sort of thing should be stamped out before it even gets on to our screens.
16:38
I am pleased to take part in this important debate, as to openly debate and discuss this subject is a way of helping to reduce society’s tolerance of violence against women. I thank all the organisations that have provided briefings for today.
In the face of proliferating violence, it is difficult not to feel that progress has stalled or, indeed, reversed. Scottish Women’s Aid highlights a case in which a woman who has suffered domestic abuse says:
“Your confidence goes ... it’s a gradual thing that grinds you away and grinds you away until there’s nothing left.”
That organisation has much experience and expertise and says:
“We believe that a world without domestic abuse is not just a dream, it is a possibility. Never doubt it—changing attitudes changes lives.”
Zero Tolerance, too, tells us that “Change is Possible” and that we must “Make it Happen”.
The Scottish Parliament can play a leading role in changing attitudes, and we must do so. Violence against women is a human rights violation of worldwide significance. White Ribbon tells us that at least one in five women in Scotland will experience domestic violence in their lifetime, and that a domestic violence incident is recorded every 10 minutes in this country.
Violence against women and girls is endemic in conflict areas, where it is often a strategy of combat. However, wherever it occurs—in other corners of the globe or on our own streets—it terrorises and humiliates.
Violence against women does not take place in a vacuum. It takes place in a context in which, globally, only 21 per cent of parliamentarians are women. It takes place in a context of gender-biased austerity that disempowers women. In 2012, the Treasury admitted that, of almost £15 billion raised in cuts, £11 billion came from women. It takes place in a context in which some national newspapers include a picture of a topless young woman alongside news and in which that picture will feature far more prominently than that of any woman prominent in the fields of business, sport or medicine.
The media portrayal is very significant indeed and I will be happy to support the motion and Graeme Pearson’s amendment today. Such a media portrayal normalises the objectification of women. It should not be forgotten that gender equality is a fundamental human right, but yesterday we learned that almost 60 per cent of girls say that they have been sexually harassed by boys. According to the Girlguiding Scotland survey, girls as young as seven are being subjected to sexual taunts and grow up with sexual harassment as a normal part of their everyday lives. That is unacceptable and we must challenge it.
Every day, our young people are bombarded with sexualised, sexist and often violent imagery. In Zero Tolerance’s briefing on the sexualisation of young people, we read:
“violence against women and exploitation in the sex industry is frequently trivialised in video games … Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas enables players to beat a prostituted woman with a baseball bat, complete with screams for help. The incredible realism now possible with such games means players can feel that they are really committing this act.”
Citizens, who are often reduced to the role of consumer, can make a difference. An Australian chain store has banned “Grand Theft Auto 5” because of complaints about its depiction of violence against women.
The cabinet secretary is right to say that there is no simple solution or easy fix. Our knowledge of what interventions are most effective for the prevention of gender-based violence is growing, however. Documentation, evaluation and legislation are key. We in Scotland will continue to call and campaign for change and there is clearly whole-hearted cross-party consensus on the issue.
I also congratulate the cabinet secretary on his promotion. I would be grateful if he could update members on the formation of a violence against women joint strategic board and on funding for multi-agency risk assessment conferences.
16:42
I welcome the cabinet secretary to his post, and I also welcome his tone in this consensual debate.
We will support the Government’s motion and the Labour amendment today. We are also pleased to note that the Government motion included White Ribbon Scotland for its campaign to ensure that men are part of the strategy. I also want to mention the good work of Abused Men in Scotland, in Edinburgh, which I know is supported by Jim Eadie. Although the debate is entitled “Violence against Women” we need to include a focus on children and on all other forms of domestic violence, including within same-sex couples and by females against men.
My first point is about all children who are brought up witnessing domestic violence. The Royal College of Psychiatrists states that boys can become
“aggressive and disobedient. Sometimes, they start to use violence to try and solve problems, and may copy the behaviour they see within the family. Older boys may play truant and start to use alcohol or drugs (both of which are a common way of trying to block out disturbing experiences ...)”.
The Royal College of Psychiatrists also states that
“Girls are more likely to keep their distress inside”
and to become withdrawn, anxious and depressed, and to think badly of themselves.
“They are more likely to ... harm themselves by taking overdoses or cutting themselves”
and most worryingly
“They are also more likely to choose an abusive partner themselves.”
UNICEF’s key findings on the impact of domestic abuse and violence confirms that
“There is a strong likelihood that this will become a continuing cycle of violence for the next generation.
The single best predictor of children becoming either perpetrators or victims of domestic violence later in life is whether or not they grow up in a home where there is domestic violence.”
That is based on studies from throughout the world.
Given that the impact on children is known and fully acknowledged, what is being done to ensure that the children are also taken care of? What support is given to the boys and girls? I was at the cross-party group on mental health at lunch time—I apologise for not signing Malcolm Chisholm’s white ribbon campaign pledge—where that issue was raised, in the context of child and adult mental health. “Equally Safe” is about preventing and eradicating violence against women and girls, but given what I have said, I hope that it is for all children, including boys.
My second point is on the strategy, which I read cover to cover. It talks consistently about the need for full engagement of local authorities and so on. Gosh! I see that my time is nearly up. There needs to be strong leadership on community planning partnerships.
My third point echoes the point that Malcolm Chisholm raised on delivering outcomes and targets, which are just not there. After 15 years, we are still being told, for example, that
“we will be developing a measurement framework.”
That is not good enough—we need to do more.
Finally, I read in the strategy that
“Perpetrators of domestic abuse can expect the full force of the law”.
However, in response to questions from my colleague John Lamont, the Scottish Government stated that, out of 10,500 prosecutions for domestic violence, there were 8,500 convictions. Of those who were convicted, 12 per cent were given custodial sentences, 25 per cent were given community sentences and 30 per cent were admonished. That is not really
“the full force of the law”.
However, I welcome what the new cabinet secretary has said and I look forward to the new proposals.
16:46
I concur with the cabinet secretary in thanking the many specialist advocacy and support agencies. The national ones were mentioned in the motion, but we also heard good examples of local initiatives, such as Daisy, which James Dornan told us about, and MADART, which Margaret McDougall told us about.
As has been said, this debate sits well with this afternoon’s previous debate on human rights, because violence against women is clearly a human rights issue. The Scottish Human Rights Commission includes all gender-based violence in its definition, so it includes rape, forced marriage, prostitution and the purchase of sex—which Rhoda Grant mentioned—trafficking, female genital mutilation, sexual harassment and domestic violence.
Preventing violence against women is not only a domestic priority for Scotland; it is a legal duty that is set out by several international obligations. Over the years, Scottish Governments have taken action on violence against women, female genital mutilation and forced marriage. This year and next the Scottish Government will, we hope, take action on human trafficking. My colleague Jenny Marra is due recognition for her role in that regard. I, too, look forward to the consultation on making domestic abuse a criminal offence, and its focus on the patterns of abusive behaviour, and I also look forward to the work that will be done on revenge pornography.
A number of members—Liam McArthur, Gil Paterson and Christine Grahame—referred to the statistics on sexual offences and domestic abuse and the increase in reporting of both. Of course we hope that that is due to people feeling more able to report. It is obviously due also to the work that is being done by Police Scotland. However, as Cara Hilton and Christine Grahame told us, it is important that we recognise that the figures are too low and that there are many reasons why people do not dare to speak out—for example, that they feel somehow responsible for the abuse that is happening to them.
Alison Johnstone referred to the Girlguiding survey, which contained the statistics that shocked me most. One in five girls aged 7 to 12 has experienced sexual comments from boys—what a shocking statistic—and 59 per cent of young women aged 13 to 21 have experienced some form of sexual harassment. As Mark McDonald and Cara Hilton said, the media play a part in that. The statistics in the survey about the media were revealing: 58 per cent of young women feel that the media blame rape victims’ behaviour or appearance for their attack. More than half the young women who were surveyed dislike the disrespectful attitude that is shown towards women in music videos. That silly exhibitionist Madonna, who is apparently taking her breasts out for photographers, does women a total disservice by continuing to collude with such objectification of women.
That sort of behaviour needs to be condemned because it does women no good whatever. The survey really illustrates how much work needs to be done, because despite all the advances that have been made over almost a century on women’s rights and representation, I think that women are as disrespected as they have ever been—and possibly more so.
Malcolm Chisholm made a good point about the problem of access to pornography through the internet, which for young men in particular normalises the view of sexual violence. Sandra White also referred to the role of the media, which is seriously damaging in terms of how women are presented in the media.
I do not think that anybody touched on women offenders. We know that violence against women impacts on the justice system in various ways. In Scotland, more than half of women offenders in prison have experienced domestic abuse, and one third have experienced sexual abuse. Past abuse was recognised by the commission on women offenders as being a significant part of the profile of women offenders. Evidence of the link between a woman’s experience as a victim and her subsequent offending led the commission to recommend that services for women offenders take women’s histories of abuse into account, and provide counselling to deal with that trauma.
Women of all economic groups suffer domestic abuse, as many members have said, and women of all economic groups suffer sexual abuse. However, the link between poverty and the inability to escape abuse or to seek redress has to be recognised.
A number of people, including Christina McKelvie, Cara Hilton and Mark McDonald, have mentioned the importance of the white ribbon campaign. I was pleased to hear on the radio last week as I drove home about an initiative in Dumfries and Galloway from the domestic abuse and violence against women partnership in Dumfries and Galloway Council and Queen of the South football club in relation to the white ribbon campaign, which encourages men and women to pledge never to commit, condone or remain silent about all forms of violence against women. That campaign will be taken to football fans at the Queen of the South versus Rangers match on 12 December, which will be a white ribbon campaign match. It is part of the 16 days of global action against violence against women.
The domestic abuse and violence against women partnership has also instigated a song-writing competition for young people, which is reaching its final stage, with members of the public being invited to vote online for one of five songs considered to be most relevant to the topic. Consciousness is being raised by a number of means in various localities.
When it comes to violence against women, we can have all the good intentions in the world—as with human rights—but unless there is a fundamental change in ingrained cultural attitudes, real progress will not be made. The cornerstone of education has to be respect; it has to be the right to refuse to take part in activities that someone does not wish to take part in and the right to be respected for that decision. Until that becomes part of education, in particular of young men, we will not make real progress on this very important human rights issue.
16:53
This has been a good debate, and members across the chamber are absolutely united in what they have been saying about violence against women and how we can tackle it and do more to stop it happening in our society. It is important that we are all absolutely united on this and we should remain united. This is the one issue above everything else, as the cabinet secretary said, that we should be absolutely united on.
We have had very good speeches from around the chamber, which have included some horrific stories. Graeme Pearson started the debate by describing how he had to attend a case of a woman who had been kicked to death. For me, even thinking about that was quite horrific. We also heard about the local agencies in all our communities and the national organisations and about how we cannot tackle this issue without their support. We heard about their daily support for our constituents.
Our new First Minister has made clear her commitment to tackling gender inequality, and I certainly see violence against women as a cause and consequence of that inequality. Alison Johnstone also mentioned that.
That is not to say that men are not affected by domestic abuse, as Mary Scanlon mentioned, or that men do not suffer the horrific experience of it. We know that they do and this Government will always work to ensure that male victims receive the support that they need through our public and specialist services.
I say to Mary Scanlon that we will always protect children who are in a family where there is domestic abuse. I might say a bit more about that later, but there is no suggestion whatsoever that children, whether male or female, in a family where there is domestic abuse will not get support and assistance from the Government, as such abuse impacts on them for the rest of their lives, as Mary Scanlon said.
We have to have a gendered analysis of violence against women in order to address it effectively, and we must work collaboratively with all our key partners to ensure long-lasting change. A number of members speaking in the debate supported the implementation of “Equally Safe: Scotland’s strategy for preventing and eradicating violence against women and girls”. I welcome that.
Concern was expressed by a number of members about a delay in bringing the strategy forward. We hope to take it to the next stage early in the new year. The Government is keen to ensure that we get the arrangements right. The strategy is ambitious, and it is an important programme of work. We do not want to rush it.
We have made progress on some of the early commitments. Indeed, as the First Minister and the cabinet secretary announced, we will be consulting early next year on the proposed new offences of domestic abuse and revenge porn.
Graeme Pearson and another member spoke about the delay in the court system. Of course we do not want there to be such delays. We are pleased that more people who have been subject to domestic abuse are coming forward. They have been supported to do so. The police are much more proactive and treat domestic abuse much more seriously. In saying that, we do not want unnecessary delays.
The Government has given the court system £1.4 million to assist with delays, and it will continue to work with agencies through the central criminal justice board to monitor the overall levels of demand. It is important that we recognise that more people who have been subject to domestic abuse are coming forward.
We have talked a lot about the organisations that work tirelessly to give advice and support. James Dornan, Cara Hilton and Margaret McDougall mentioned organisations in their constituencies that provide that essential advice and support to women and children who are at an extremely vulnerable point in their lives. The Scottish Government contributes funding to those organisations. We give £34.5 million of funding to address violence against women—that is how importantly we treat it.
Sometimes, it is easy to forget the impact that the Scottish Government funding has on real families who are suffering violence and abuse. The agencies can tell us about that.
I was told about one survivor who has spoken about her experiences. It is not always easy for people who have suffered domestic abuse to do that, but she wanted to speak about the support that she had received from what she described as an amazing specialist service. This was from a woman experiencing domestic abuse who had received support for herself and her children from Monklands Women’s Aid. She said:
“Women’s Aid in my opinion has helped my boys to be children again, instead of worrying all the time, and without this service I don’t think they would be in the happy place they are in now.”
That tells us how much we need those services.
A number of members voiced concern about funding for such services. We are coming to the end of the spending review period, and officials are currently in discussion with the organisations about funding and the way ahead. We do not want to have any delays. We know that there is uncertainty, but we want to ensure that it is resolved as soon as possible.
The support services have many allies in the chamber. Christina McKelvie and Malcolm Chisholm co-convene the cross-party group on men’s violence against women and children, and the work of White Ribbon Scotland has been highlighted. I was pleased to go along to the group’s event today and to see so many MSPs—both as I went in and also out in the corridor as they came out—attending to show their support. It is important that the Parliament leads on this matter.
We are coming to the end of 2014, which has been a momentous year that has made us all focus on what kind of Scotland we want for us and the next generation. I believe that this debate cuts to the heart of that issue. Liam McArthur and James Dornan talked about the message from this parliamentary debate, and like them I believe that the message from this Parliament should be very loud and clear: that violence against women is never normal, acceptable or legal and should never ever be tolerated or justified. That is the message that a united Parliament sends out today.
It is clear that all of us across the chamber want to see a Scotland where no one experiences abuse or violence, where no one is ever afraid to go home or afraid of someone coming home, where no young people have to hear or see their mother being abused, where men and women are truly equal, and where violence against women is, finally, a memory of something in the past.