SPECIFIC offences of “revenge porn” and domestic abuse are being considered by ministers in an effort to tackle violence against women. The proposals were unveiled yesterday by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who addressed a conference held by Scottish Women’s Aid in Edinburgh.
In her address, the First Minister said the government would consult on whether a specific offence of domestic abuse was required and if legislation to tackle the problem of so-called “revenge porn” – the posting online, usually by former partners, of private, intimate images without consent – was needed to provide further protection.
Sturgeon said: “Violence against women is both a symptom and a cause of wider gender inequality across our society. And so ending violence against women has to be part of a broader strategy – we also need to achieve true gender equality in society as a whole.
“And of course, that’s exactly what this government is trying to do – appointing a gender-balanced Cabinet; campaigning for gender equality in the boardroom; expanding childcare and addressing gender stereotypes. We’re working to create an economy and a society where discrimination has no place. There is still a great deal to do, but this government is determined to take a lead."
She added: “We are launching a far-reaching consultation today on whether the current law on domestic abuse and sexual offences should be clarified and strengthened ... We know that changing the law isn’t enough on its own, but it can play an important part in the wider social and cultural changes we want to bring about.”
Violence in the home is currently considered under a wide range of offences including assault and breach of the peace, but victims are often not willing to come forward to report abuse, and loopholes exist in the current legislation that mean perpetrators can walk free.
Lily Greenan, chief executive of Scottish Women’s Aid, welcomed the proposals. She said: “It is 20 years since the Beijing Platform for Action laid out the work that should be undertaken globally to improve and protect women’s human rights. The Platform for Action identified violence against women as one of the critical areas of concern. We are delighted that the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women is able to join us in reviewing the progress we have made in Scotland since 1995."
Research on domestic abuse has shown that it can affect on families across social backgrounds. Recent high-profile cases include the former DJ Suzy McGuire, who was the victim of years of abuse, while former SNP MSP Bill Walker was jailed for 12 months in 2013 after being convicted of a series of domestic abuse offences.
The government consultation will consider whether the current criminal law reflects the experience of long-term domestic abuse victims, including coercive control, and whether a specific domestic abuse offence would improve the ability of people to access justice.
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