Government to take ‘significant measures’ to protect women and girls – Swinney

John Swinney has said his Government will take “significant measures” to tackle violence against women and girls in his legislative programme.

The First Minister also said he would give “very serious consideration” to a campaign for increased GPS tracking of domestic abuse perpetrators.

The family of Stacy Mair, who was murdered in Renfrewshire in July, have said she was failed by the justice system and have called for change.

Stacy’s estranged husband, Jim Mair, was granted bail following an incident in which he assaulted her. This took place weeks before she was murdered.

Crime statistics released earlier this week showed reported domestic abuse incidents in Scotland have increased 81% in the past four years, and 19% in the past 12 months.

Stacy Mair was murdered in July (Family Handout/PA)

PA Media

Meanwhile, the number of rapes and attempted rapes reported in Scotland has risen by almost one third in four years, figures show.

Mr Swinney was asked about the figures as he opened a new GP walk-in clinic in Fife.

He said there had been “absolute tragedies” in Scotland over the summer when women had been killed by partners or former partners.

The First Minister also said he had listened to “harrowing” accounts from domestic abuse survivors”.

He told Press Association: “Those tragedies are uppermost in my mind as I formulate the Government’s programme for the parliamentary term, in which there will be significant measures taken to tackle violence against women and girls.”

With MSPs due to return to Holyrood after the summer recess on Tuesday, Mr Swinney said he will be setting out the measures in detail next week.

The First Minister was also asked about the “Stacy’s Law” proposals for increased GPS monitoring of domestic abuse offenders.

John Swinney said he was aware of the campaign, describing it as having “strong and important proposals”.

He told Press Association: “I will give them very serious consideration as the Government formulates what I want to be recognised as a sustained effort by the Government, under my personal leadership, to tackle violence against women and girls in our society.”

Claudia Macdonald-Bruce, of the Scottish Rape Crisis Alliance, warned the First Minister against “tinkering around the edges” on the issue of violence against women and girls.

She said: “The First Minister is right to recognise that violence against women and girls demands urgent and sustained action.

“But after years of commitments, women and girls need to see meaningful change, not simply another set of promises. Enough is enough.

“The government’s forthcoming legislative programme must deliver concrete measures that prevent violence, protect women at risk and hold perpetrators to account.

“That means properly resourcing specialist services, strengthening the response to domestic abuse and ensuring the justice system acts decisively when women are at risk.”