By Bill Heaney
Maggie Chapman, a Green MSP, told the Holyrood parliament this week: “We have already heard about the Scottish Government’s victims task force report, which highlights worrying levels of attrition, with survivors dropping cases because of lengthy delays.
“I know that both the First Minister and the Cabinet Secretary for Justice [Keith Brown] and Veterans take the issue very seriously.
“How can we better support survivors to access justice, given that defendants can demand in-person trials, which causes further delays?
“What can we do now to speed up non-harassment orders and interim interdicts, or other emergency protections, while the backlogs are addressed?”
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon assured her: “We are seeking to make those improvements with the laws that we have passed and the policies that we have put in place, but there is more to be done.
“Of course, the ordering of interim interdicts or non-harassment orders are issues for courts.
“I have already said how seriously we take addressing the backlog, particularly for victims of domestic abuse or violence against women and sexual violence. That is very important.
“We are also increasing money to front-line organisations so that women in those situations can have access to help and support.
“There is a great deal to be done to recover from the pandemic and get back on track with making those changes.
“The Parliament has made world-leading changes over many years and in many cases, because too many women suffer the impact of domestic abuse, and it is incumbent on us all to ensure that the policies and resources and the legislative framework are in place to better tackle that.”
Picture: West Dunbartonshire Council led local committee set up to tackle domestic violence.