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| Scottish Parliament to debate new domestic abuse law | Scottish Parliament to debate new domestic abuse law |
| (about 9 hours later) | |
| MSPs are to debate the creation of a new offence to hold abusive partners to account. | MSPs are to debate the creation of a new offence to hold abusive partners to account. |
| New powers that would tackle sustained controlling behaviour and psychological abuse were announced in last week's legislative programme. | New powers that would tackle sustained controlling behaviour and psychological abuse were announced in last week's legislative programme. |
| The Scottish government said almost 60,000 domestic abuse incidents were reported to Police Scotland in 2014-15. | The Scottish government said almost 60,000 domestic abuse incidents were reported to Police Scotland in 2014-15. |
| Figures show that of these incidents, 79% had a male perpetrator and a female victim. | Figures show that of these incidents, 79% had a male perpetrator and a female victim. |
| In a Scottish government consultation, more than 90% of people said they did not believe the current laws provided police, prosecutors and courts with sufficient powers to bring perpetrators of abuse to justice. | In a Scottish government consultation, more than 90% of people said they did not believe the current laws provided police, prosecutors and courts with sufficient powers to bring perpetrators of abuse to justice. |
| Justice Secretary Michael Matheson said: "Our consultation underlined the need for careful consideration of the legislation to ensure it can capture complex and controlling behaviour. | |
| "That's why we're working with support providers, police and prosecutors to ensure the new offence is effective in criminalising psychological abuse." | "That's why we're working with support providers, police and prosecutors to ensure the new offence is effective in criminalising psychological abuse." |
| Mr Matheson said women were disproportionately affected by domestic abuse and the new law would be key to "wider work to tackle violence and unacceptable attitudes against women and girls". | Mr Matheson said women were disproportionately affected by domestic abuse and the new law would be key to "wider work to tackle violence and unacceptable attitudes against women and girls". |
| 'Face prosecution' | |
| He added: "Abuse can be physical abuse, but we know it can also be a more subtle pattern of coercive and controlling behaviour and we need to do more to ensure that perpetrators know that they will face prosecution and ensure the support is there for victims." | He added: "Abuse can be physical abuse, but we know it can also be a more subtle pattern of coercive and controlling behaviour and we need to do more to ensure that perpetrators know that they will face prosecution and ensure the support is there for victims." |
| The Scottish government will work with domestic abuse support service Assist and Scottish Women's Aid to develop the legislation. | The Scottish government will work with domestic abuse support service Assist and Scottish Women's Aid to develop the legislation. |
| Mr Matheson is to meet Linda Rodgers, of Edinburgh Women's Aid, ahead of the debate. | Mr Matheson is to meet Linda Rodgers, of Edinburgh Women's Aid, ahead of the debate. |
| Ms Rodgers said: "The progress of this legislation will require hard work and careful consideration, but we are committed to working with the government to take practical steps to make women and children safer." | Ms Rodgers said: "The progress of this legislation will require hard work and careful consideration, but we are committed to working with the government to take practical steps to make women and children safer." |