Scottish Lib Dem conference backs measures to tackle violence against women and girls

At their autumn party conference, Scottish Liberal Democrats have backed a range of measures to tackle violence against women and girls, including for the Scottish Government to implement key domestic abuse protections four years after they became law.

The motion agreed by conference calls for:

• Part 1 of the Domestic Abuse (Protection) (Scotland) Act 2021- which contains emergency protections for domestic abuse victims- to be commenced and properly resourced without any additional delays.
• ‘Sex’ to be swiftly added to the list of protected characteristics in the Hate Crime and Public Order Act 2021, and a review in the next parliament, with a view to bringing in separate legislation as originally recommended by Baroness Kennedy if required.
• Consistent guidance for schools and local authorities on how to tackle violence against female pupils in schools.
• Measures to prevent further violence against women and girls to be included as part of efforts to rehabilitate prisoners.
• Establishing a single point of contact within a local authority that victims of domestic abuse can speak to in order explain their circumstances, ensuring victims only have to tell their story once.
• All housing and frontline staff to be trained to detect and respond appropriately to domestic abuse and survivors of domestic abuse.
• A presumption that the perpetrator of domestic abuse will be required to leave the shared home, allowing survivors greater choice and agency.

Wendy Chamberlain said:

“I am very proud that conference has backed this motion today.

“Report after report has shown that there is an epidemic of violence against women and girls in our society, which will only get worse without dedicated action from those in government.

“To tackle it, we need change in a range of policy areas, from health to education to justice. That holistic approach is reflected in the breadth of measures agreed by my party today.

"From removing domestic abusers from the family home to properly protecting female pupils in schools, these measures send a clear measure that Scottish Liberal Democrats are committed to stamping out misogyny and gendered violence for good.”