Family Law News Edinburgh

A law that will allow people to find out if their partner has been involved in domestic abuse in previous relationships is to be launched in Scotland.

A Scottish Government initiative, Equally Safe, launched this week is an innovative strategy tackling the full spectrum of violence against women and girls in Scotland.

Equally safe outlines the need for participation from every area of Government and society to address this issue. The initiative seeks to engage the police, NHS, the criminal justice system, social work, and housing as well as businesses, employers and third sector organisations in creating a safe society for women and girls.

Equally safe also encompasses a comprehensive review of the Scottish Justice system, including consideration of the current law relating to domestic abuse and sexual offences, whether it is fit for purpose and whether additional offences need be created.

The strategy also sets out four key priorities:
1. Scottish society embraces equality and mutual respect, and rejects all forms of violence against women and girls.
2. Women and girls thrive as equal citizens: socially, culturally, economically and politically.
3. Interventions are early and effective, preventing violence and maximising safety and wellbeing of women and girls.
4. Men desist from all forms of violence against women and girls and perpetrators of such violence receive a robust and effective response. 

Shona Robinson, Cabinet Secretary for Equalities said: “It is our plan to eradicate violence against women and work to create a strong and flourishing Scotland where everyone can feel equally safe and respected. There are, however, no quick fixes to this deep-routed problem. We need significant social, cultural and attitudinal change over the long-term, change that calls for sustained commitment from a wide range of partners as well as individuals and communities.”

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The UK Government last month extended the definition of domestic violence to include victims aged 16 and 17. The redefinition only applies to England and Wales.

A domestic abuse court is to be piloted at Edinburgh Sheriff Court. The specialist court aims to improve the way in which allegations of domestic abuse are dealt with in the criminal justice system.

Edinburgh City Council has chaired a seminar on domestic abuse which looked at how different agencies involved in domestic violence should work together to tackle the problem. The event was part of the International 16 Days of Action Opposing Violence Against Women campaign which runs until 10th December.

The Fawcett Society, supported by a group of charities, unions and academics, has published a report outlining policy recommendations for the Government to ensure that progress made in women's rights and equality is not undermined by deficit reducing budget cuts. 

At the High Court in Edinburgh, a 52-year old man from Glasgow has been given a 15-year extended sentence for a 30-year campaign of violence and domestic abuse against women. He will spend nine years in custody, reduced from ten years to reflect his guilty plea.