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Sky News
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Sky News
Scottish parliament seeking views for new law that would create register for domestic abusers
Views are being sought for a new law that would create a register for convicted domestic abusers. The Prevention of Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Bill, tabled by Scottish Tory MSP Pam Gosal, is currently being considered by Holyrood's Criminal Justice Committee. If passed, the bill would introduce notification requirements for certain perpetrators convicted of domestic abuse offences - similar to the sex offenders' register. It would mean abusers would have to keep police informed of their address and passport details. The bill would also require schools to educate pupils on domestic abuse and healthy relationships. Additionally, it would also place a data collection duty on Police Scotland, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) and charities working with victims of domestic abuse, and an annual reporting duty on the Scottish government. Fiona Inglis has campaigned for a register for domestic abusers since the murder of her daughter, Claire, in 2021. Christopher McGowan violently beat and strangled the mother-of-one. He also burned the 28-year-old with a lighter and jammed a wet wipe down her throat. McGowan, who had a history of domestic abuse, was found to have had a lengthy criminal record and had been bailed to his victim's home address a few weeks before the fatal attack. He was handed a life sentence with at least 23 years behind bars for the murder. Ms Inglis told Sky News: "Domestic violence is an epidemic now and something needs to be done." She said she was unsure whether a register would have saved her daughter's life - as McGowan was a "prolific lawbreaker" - but praised Dr Gosal's "hard work" in attempting to protect other potential victims. Ms Inglis added: "Claire would have been 32 tomorrow. Total waste of a life." Police Scotland recorded 63,867 incidents of domestic abuse in 2023-24, an increase of 3% compared with the previous year. MSP Audrey Nicoll, committee convener, said: "Our committee is acutely aware of the devastating impact domestic abuse has on individuals, families and communities across Scotland, and the latest statistics on domestic abuse show the scale of this issue. "This bill presents a range of proposals aiming to prevent domestic abuse, including statutory data collection and improving school education, but we want to hear views from individuals and organisations on whether they support these proposals. "We are particularly keen to hear from those with lived experience, their families and frontline professionals on if they agree with the proposals in this bill, or if they feel other actions are required to tackle domestic abuse in Scotland." Dr Gosal, MSP for West Scotland, described her bill as an important step to help "tackle the scourge of domestic abuse across Scotland". She added: "I welcomed the opportunity to present my Prevention of Domestic Abuse (Scotland) bill to the committee recently and highlight how it will protect victims through creating a domestic abuse register. "It will also commit to giving police more resources to tackle these appalling crimes and ensure the public have greater knowledge of domestic abuse. "I would encourage everyone to give their views on my bill to the committee so this bill can take another step towards becoming a reality." The call for views will close on 15 September.


STV News
15-07-2025
- Politics
- STV News
Public's views sought on domestic abuser registration law
Public views are being sought for a new law that would create a register for perpetrators of domestic violence. The proposal was tabled by Scottish Tory MSP Pam Gosal and is currently being considered by the Criminal Justice Committee at Holyrood. If enacted, the Prevention of Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Bill would create a register of people who have been convicted of domestic abuse offences in the past and requires abusers to keep the state informed of their addresses and passport details. Among its other provisions, the Bill would also require schools to educate pupils on domestic abuse and relationships. Committee convener Audrey Nicoll said: 'Our committee is acutely aware of the devastating impact domestic abuse has on individuals, families and communities across Scotland, and the latest statistics on domestic abuse show the scale of this issue. 'This Bill presents a range of proposals aiming to prevent domestic abuse, including statutory data collection and improving school education, but we want to hear views from individuals and organisations on whether they support these proposals. 'We are particularly keen to hear from those with lived experience, their families and frontline professionals on if they agree with the proposals in this Bill, or if they feel other actions are required to tackle domestic abuse in Scotland.' The call for views will close on September 15. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country


Daily Record
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Record
Almost 30,000 Scots women check if partners have secret violent past using police programme
The Disclosure Scheme for Domestic Abuse in Scotland (DSDAS), also known as Clare's Law, gives women the right to ask police if a current or ex-partner has a record of abusive behavour. Almost 30,000 women have used a police programme to find out if their partner has a secret violent past since it was introduced. The Disclosure Scheme for Domestic Abuse in Scotland (DSDAS), also known as Clare's Law, gives women the right to ask police if a current or ex-partner has a record of abusive behavour. Data shows Police Scotland received 20,005 applications for background checks in the eight years to October 2023. A further 7296 were submitted between April 1, 2024, and March – up 23.4 per cent on the previous 12 months – taking the overall total to 27,300 based on available data. Out of the 20,005 applications, Police Scotland issued 11,599 disclosures that individuals had violent or abusive convictions. Data on the number issued in relation to the applications made in 2024-25 was not available. Scottish Tory MSP Pam Gosal, who is championing a Bill to help protect victims, warned the number using the scheme exposed the 'shocking prevalence of domestic violence in Scotland'. She said: 'Whilst it's welcome that this flagship scheme is being used, it remains the case that far too many women are at risk of abuse and are not receiving the support they desperately need. 'It is vital the SNP Government give their backing to my Prevention of Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Bill which is prog-ressing through Parliament and will help protect survivors, by providing our police force with the resources necessary to tackle this spiralling issue.' Scottish Lib Dem justice spokesperson Liam McArthur MSP said the data 'suggests awareness of this scheme is increasing'. He said: 'As with any change in the law, it is important the Parliament and the Scottish Government keep the effectiveness of this scheme under review so any teething problems can be ironed out. 'I would be keen to know what impact it has had on police workload and whether they feel they have the resources they need to meet the needs of this scheme.' Clare's Law was named after mum Clare Wood, 36, who was murdered and set on fire in 2009 by her ex-boyfriend George Appleton. Clare's dad Michael Brown, who is originally from Aberdeen, campaigned to allow people to check with police whether their partner had a record of abusive behaviour. The disclosure scheme gives victims and loved ones the right to ask police about an abuser's criminal background and also gives cops powers to proactively disclose information on those they feel pose a risk. Dr Marsha Scott, chief executive of Scottish Women's Aid, at the time welcomed efforts to 'give women more information, more tools, more control, as domestic abuse takes all of those away' but has called for a review to assess the scheme's effectiveness. There are concerns it can give a false sense of security to those told their partners have no past convictions as many domestic violence cases go unreported. Dr Scott said: ' Disclosure alone doesn't keep women safe – only a justice system that listens, understands and acts on the risk can do that. We look forward to an evaluation of the scheme to understand whether survivors feel safer after disclosure.' Five women were killed by violent partners in 'domestic homicides' last year. Data shows 39,323 domestic abuse crimes were recorded in 2024-25 – 3963 more than the 35,360 the previous year. Police Scotland recorded 64,993 incidents – 3424 more than the previous year's 61,509 reports, an increase of 5.6 per cent. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.


Daily Mail
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Girls STILL forced to share loos with boys despite schools facing 94 complaints
Young girls across Scotland are still being expected to share school toilets with boys – as new figures show that councils have received almost 100 complaints and representations about gender neutral loos in the last three years. Scottish state schools were ordered to provide single sex toilets in a landmark ruling handed down by a judge at the Court of Session in Edinburgh last month. Yet The Mail on Sunday has found that many of the 32 local authorities are 'considering' the verdict before making changes. That is despite data showing there have been 94 queries raised by youngsters and staff about gender neutral or unisex loos since 2021. SNP-run East Dunbartonshire has received the most criticism. Last night it admitted that 51 'complaints and representations' had been made about their 'inclusive' loo provision. However, a spokesman claimed only two official complaints were lodged with the council directly. Scottish Conservative MSP Pam Gosal said: 'Complaints about this issue are rife. It seems some councils are taking these and recording them while others appear to be brushing them under the carpet. 'It's totally unacceptable for any girl in school to have to share facilities such as toilets and changing areas with boys.' Public bodies across Scotland have had to re-evaluate policies on single sex facilities after last month's UK Supreme Court ruling on gender. However, schools are under particular pressure after parents won a separate legal fight days later over single sex facilities at the new £16.6 million Earlston Primary School in Berwickshire. Lawyer Rosie Walker of Gilson Gray, representing the parents, told the Mail that 'gender-neutral toilets' were not permitted under regulations dating back to 1967. The case, which concerned Scottish Borders Council, has a knock on effect for all local authorities. Judge Lady Ross, KC, said she would issue a court order to make legal obligations on state schools clear after Sean Stratford and Leigh Hurley brought the judicial review over their concerns about transgender policies at the school, where their son was a pupil. The Mail on Sunday asked all councils what progress had been made since the Court of Session ruling on April 23. Of the 19 which responded, only two – Glasgow and East Lothian – had changed signage in some schools. Six councils said they already had single sex provision and the rest declared they were considering the court verdicts. A Scottish Government spokesman said: 'The Education Secretary is engaging with Cosla to carefully consider the implications of the Court of Session ruling.'


STV News
08-05-2025
- Politics
- STV News
MSP aims to create 'true deterrent' for domestic abuse with offenders register
An MSP has published a Bill which would create a register of convicted domestic abusers, similar to the sex offenders register. Conservative MSP Pam Gosal says the measure in her Members' Bill would act as a 'true deterrent'. The Prevention of Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Bill would also ensure convicts receive mandatory assessments for rehabilitation courses. Gosal says she has received widespread backing for her Bill from other MSPs and charities dealing with domestic abuse. Her proposal for a domestic abusers' register would place reporting requirements on offenders. Public bodies would also have a legal duty to manage risks. She said domestic abuse is a 'scourge' across the country. Gosal said: 'My proposed Bill aims to turn the tide on this, and contains specific measures to make a difference. 'A domestic abuse offenders register would work in a similar way to the sex offenders register, bringing increased shame on perpetrators, acting as a true deterrent and giving further protection to potential victims.' She said extending the use of rehabilitation courses 'would clearly help reduce the risk of reoffending and protect victims, who are overwhelmingly women, in future'. Gosal added: 'In a similar vein, we would also introduce mandatory education in schools to aid the cultural shift, and ensure the next generation are fully informed about the horrific nature and far-reaching consequences of this crime.' Ms Gosal also said her Bill would ensure improved gathering of statistics on domestic abuse. A consultation on the proposed Bill garnered 247 responses: 33 from organisations and 214 from individuals; with 91% saying they support the Bill and 86% said they are 'fully supportive'. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country