Hansard

The Presiding Officer (Ken Macintosh) NPA

We are perhaps slightly ahead of where people would expect us to be. I am glad that virtually all the members whom we expected are here for the next debate. ...

The Cabinet Secretary for Justice (Michael Matheson) SNP

Everyone in the chamber is aware that domestic abuse blights the lives of too many people in Scotland. Domestic abuse might not be obvious, because it is lar...

Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (LD) LD

I am grateful to the cabinet secretary for the way in which he has set out the proposition that is under scrutiny. He will be aware that the Justice Committe...

Michael Matheson SNP

I will seek to do so. As we said in our response to the committee’s report, we believe that we have set the bar at the right level. Our response reinforces t...

Kezia Dugdale (Lothian) (Lab) Lab

I welcome the cabinet secretary’s thanking of all the groups that have contributed to the bill. Scottish Women’s Aid and Children 1st have both called for th...

The Presiding Officer NPA

I ask the cabinet secretary to address that and to draw his remarks to a conclusion.

Michael Matheson SNP

We have responded to the committee by setting out that the approach that we will take will be to reform child welfare legislation, which will allow us to con...

Margaret Mitchell (Central Scotland) (Con) Con

I am pleased to speak on behalf of the Justice Committee in this important debate. The committee took evidence on the bill over six meetings, earlier this y...

Liam Kerr (North East Scotland) (Con) Con

I echo the cabinet secretary and the convener of the Justice Committee in thanking everyone who gave evidence to the committee as well as the clerks and the ...

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

Last year, Scottish Women’s Aid reached its 40th year. Its work, from local groups providing support and refuge for women and children who are facing domesti...

Mairi Gougeon (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) SNP

It is a privilege to speak in this debate on the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Bill, because it is a vital piece of legislation to come before Parliament. The b...

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Christine Grahame) SNP

Before I call Maurice Corry, I remind everybody that speeches should be of four minutes but there is a reasonable time in hand for members to take interventi...

Maurice Corry (West Scotland) (Con) Con

I am glad to have the opportunity to take part in this very important debate on the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Bill. I, too, acknowledge and thank the organis...

Sandra White (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) SNP

I agree with Maurice Corry about training, but what we really need is training for cultural change. For many years, domestic violence—I do not like that titl...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

I have some time in hand, so I can give members a little leeway—30 seconds. I know that that does not sound like much but, as nobody is intervening, I have t...

Kezia Dugdale (Lothian) (Lab) Lab

I would be delighted to assist you in that effort, Presiding Officer. Thank you for the opportunity to speak. The bill is about improving the justice syste...

Rona Mackay (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) SNP

Today is a historic day, because the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Bill will, for the first time, introduce provisions on psychological abuse into the repugnant ...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

As I said, there is some time in hand, so members can say a little more. 16:10

John Finnie (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Green

A number of speakers have talked about filling a gap. Indeed, Scottish Women’s Aid mentioned that in its briefing. I thank it and other organisations for the...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

I gave you an extra minute, Mr Finnie, so you should conclude now, please.

John Finnie Green

Many thanks. I lend the bill my full support. 16:15

Ben Macpherson (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) SNP

As others have said, psychological abuse within a relationship or by an ex-partner can cause immense and enduring trauma and harm. As a member of the Justice...

Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (LD) LD

I will start by confirming that the Scottish Liberal Democrats unequivocally support this bill to tackle controlling and coercive domestic abuse, although I ...

Fulton MacGregor (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) SNP

I am pleased to be speaking in the debate and am immensely proud that the Justice Committee unanimously agreed to the principles of the bill. How often do we...

Gordon Lindhurst (Lothian) (Con) Con

Close and intimate personal relationships are an integral part of our lives. Sharing life with a husband or wife, for example, learning more about each other...

John Finnie Green

Does Gordon Lindhurst accept that we must take cognisance of the judgment of the individual who chooses to pick up the phone and say “I require the police’s ...

Gordon Lindhurst Con

Yes, of course. It is always the judgment of the individual whether to pick up the phone and call the police. I do not demur from that, at all.

Fulton MacGregor SNP

Will the member take an intervention?

Gordon Lindhurst Con

No. We can contrast this Scottish bill’s classification of behaviour as being coercive or controlling even when it has happened on only two occasions with t...

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

The poet and domestic abuse survivor Christy Ann Martine wrote this: “You can’t keep her in a cage, clip her wings, tell her lies, say that fragile birds ...