Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 24 February 2011
24 Feb 2011 · S3 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Scottish Executive Question Time
Domestic Abuse
Justice and Law Officers
I acknowledge Anne McLaughlin’s role in campaigning on that important matter. As many members from all political parties have done, she rightly raises the issues of violence against men. She makes excellent points. We believe strongly that services should be available to meet the needs of anyone who experiences abuse—women or men. We have provided funding for the men’s advice line so that male victims can receive support and information. We are exploring with male victims and organisations that support them what the service need is, so I can give Anne McLaughlin the assurance that she seeks.
In the same item of business
Marlyn Glen (North East Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
1. To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take to reduce the level of domestic abuse. (S3O-13076)
The Minister for Community Safety (Fergus Ewing)
SNP
Domestic abuse is completely unacceptable. That is why the Government acted swiftly to legislate last year to close a gap in the criminal law so that cases o...
Marlyn Glen
Lab
How will the minister and the Scottish Government encourage the necessary changes in attitude as promoted by Scottish Women’s Aid’s stop campaign? How will h...
Fergus Ewing
SNP
I acknowledge Marlyn Glen’s long-standing interest in and campaigning on the issue. On her first question, the Scottish Government supports Scottish Women’s ...
Anne McLaughlin (Glasgow) (SNP)
SNP
I support all the work with female victims of domestic violence, but I ask the Government for reassurances that, in its efforts on the issue, it will take in...
Fergus Ewing
SNP
I acknowledge Anne McLaughlin’s role in campaigning on that important matter. As many members from all political parties have done, she rightly raises the is...
John Lamont (Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con)
Con
The minister will be aware of the widespread concern among support groups for the victims of domestic abuse about the lack of availability of short-term sent...
Fergus Ewing
SNP
As the First Minister said earlier, serious offences receive severe sentences. Any serious offence of, for example, assault will be extremely seriously dealt...
Cathy Peattie (Falkirk East) (Lab)
Lab
I welcome the increase in conviction rates, and in particular the work of Central Scotland Police. Does the minister agree that it is important that the part...
Fergus Ewing
SNP
Cathy Peattie is quite correct to say that the vast majority of victims of domestic abuse are female: that is the case, although men are also abused. I certa...