By Bill Heaney
“Domestic abuse is an insidious and dreadful crime. It has a devastating impact on victims, and it is vital that perpetrators are fully held to account. In partnership with key stakeholders, we are implementing equally safe, which is Scotland’s strategy to tackle all forms of violence against women and girls,” Ms Sturgeon told her.
She added: “It aims to prevent violence from occurring in the first place, to build the capability and capacity of mainstream and specialist services to support survivors and those at risk, and to strengthen the justice response to victims and perpetrators.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Pam Gosal, who asked about domestic abuse.
“As a tangible example of that, we have committed to expanding the availability of the accredited Caledonian system, to ensure that more male perpetrators of domestic abuse are directed to services that challenge harmful behaviours, to reduce reoffending and to improve the lives of women and children.”
Pam Gosal, who is a member of Scotland’s Sikh community, told MSPs: “As a very young child, I watched victims of domestic abuse come to my mum’s shop on Argyle Street for help. Not enough has changed.
“Half of the 65,000 domestic violence incidents reported in 2020-21 were committed by re-offenders.
“It is clear that whatever the Government is doing is not working. We need to work together to provide a true deterrent for this horrible abuse.
“Will the First Minister’s Government commit to doing more on the issue and back my proposal to create a domestic abuse register?”
However, Nicola Sturgeon said: “These are serious issues, and I want to ensure that we take them very seriously.
“On the specific issue of an offender register, we keep the law under continual review. We are always keen and willing to explore any options to reduce crime and re-offending, so we would be very keen to understand the detail of that proposal and give it due consideration.
“All registered sex offenders are already placed on the sex offender register and, as such, must register with the police as part of those requirements.
“However, I appreciate that that does not include all perpetrators of domestic violence. The issues need careful consideration, and I certainly undertake to give them that.
“On the broader issues, it is definitely the case—and it should be welcomed—that more people feel able to come forward when they are victims of domestic abuse or sexual violence.
“That is to be encouraged. However, sentences for perpetrators are obviously a matter for the courts, and it is important that we all recognise that.
“A range of work is under way to ensure that there is better support for victims and that those who commit these dreadful crimes face up to the consequences of their actions.
“The Caledonian system that I referred to is an important part of that. We are also investing more in the support services that victims need and get so much benefit from.
“A range of work is under way, but the Government will remain open minded to any further proposals that are put forward on the issue.”