Hansard

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Christine Grahame) SNP

The next item of business is a debate on motion S5M-01434, in the name of Michael Matheson, on domestic abuse law. From the outset, I inform members that—wa...

The Cabinet Secretary for Justice (Michael Matheson) SNP

Domestic abuse blights the lives of too many people in Scotland. It might not be obvious because, in contrast with many other forms of crime, it is largely h...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

I call Douglas Ross to speak to and move amendment S5M-01434.1. Mr Ross, nine minutes please. 14:44

Douglas Ross (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Con

I am pleased to open for the Scottish Conservatives in the debate on the Scottish Government’s proposal to introduce a criminal offence of domestic abuse. Si...

The Minister for Community Safety and Legal Affairs (Annabelle Ewing) SNP

Will the member take an intervention on that point?

Douglas Ross Con

I am sorry, I have two and a half minutes.

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

I can give you the time back if you want to take the intervention.

Douglas Ross Con

I will come back to it if I have time, but I have quite a bit to get through. Interruption. I was asking about the Crown Agent, if that helps the minister. ...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

Thank you—you moved your amendment just before I asked you to do so. I call Claire Baker to speak to amendment S5M-01434.2—you have seven minutes, Ms Baker. ...

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Lab

The year 2016 marks 40 years since the establishment of Scottish Women’s Aid, which brought together a network of local organisations across the country. Loc...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

My apologies to Ms Baker: I was giving my signals and she was due seven minutes. I will need to get my glasses on more often. We move to the open debate. 15:00

Kate Forbes (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP) SNP

I address every individual in Scotland today whose home is a torture chamber, who conceals physical and psychological scars and who lives in fear of a tyrant...

Margaret Mitchell (Central Scotland) (Con) Con

When I was first elected to the Parliament, in 2003, one of the first debates in which I spoke was on domestic abuse. I referred to a song by Charlie Rich th...

Fulton MacGregor (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) SNP

I welcome the proposed legislation and believe that it is a huge step on the way to tackling the true nature of domestic abuse. As many other members have sa...

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Lab

I am grateful for the opportunity to debate domestic abuse and how we improve the legislation to better protect victims. It was disappointing that the Scotti...

Christina McKelvie (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (SNP) SNP

I think that the phrase “domestic abuse” has become a bit of a fig leaf. Society has pulled a veil over the reality so that it does not upset us too much or ...

Gordon Lindhurst (Lothian) (Con) Con

We no doubt all agree that domestic abuse that is carried out against anyone for any reason is wrong. People who carry out domestic abuse give love a bad nam...

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Linda Fabiani) SNP

Please, Mr Lindhurst.

Gordon Lindhurst Con

I have made my point. We need to remember that, when it comes to statute, it is not enough to say “a rose By any other name would smell as sweet”. Languag...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

Please close now, Mr Lindhurst.

Gordon Lindhurst Con

If we fail to get it right, the Parliament will give law a bad name. 15:35

Gil Paterson (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) SNP

This Parliament—and indeed Scotland—can be proud that in nearly every session since the Parliament was reconvened, domestic abuse in its different forms has ...

Monica Lennon (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lab

I welcome the motion in Michael Matheson’s name and I am encouraged that the Scottish Government is committed to tackling domestic abuse as part of a wider s...

John Finnie (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Green

The Scottish Green Party welcomes the proposed bill. Tackling domestic abuse is, rightly, a priority for the criminal justice system, for society and for tho...

Rona Mackay (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) SNP

This is a debate that I sincerely wish that we were not having. Domestic abuse is repugnant on every level, which is why I am pleased that the Scottish Gover...

Annie Wells (Glasgow) (Con) Con

There is no doubt that everybody deserves protection from an abusive partner, and I welcome the Scottish Government’s commitment to enacting and enforcing a ...

Ruth Maguire (Cunninghame South) (SNP) SNP

I welcome the opportunity to speak in this debate and I commend the Scottish Government and Parliament for their commitment to improving how the justice syst...

Kezia Dugdale (Lothian) (Lab) Lab

When I speak to journalists outwith Scotland, the first question they often ask is about what it is like to be in a Parliament in which three of the parties ...

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Christine Grahame) SNP

It is refreshing to hear somebody speaking who does not normally get a turn in debates. 16:16

Richard Lyle (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) SNP

What is domestic abuse? For many, the initial thought is that it is physical abuse or even sexual abuse; yet, for many abuse victims, it can be emotional, me...