Domestic abuse has been on the rise in Scotland. For five years in a row, incidents of this appalling crime increased.
In the most recent statistics, published last month by the Scottish Government, the number of incidents barely dropped. They went down by less than 1 per cent.
Those figures demonstrated that there were 64,807 criminal incidents of domestic abuse in 2021-22. That is a jaw-dropping number that should alarm the government and spur ministers into action.
But, while that number is shocking, the most disturbing revelation from those statistics was the fact that 64 per cent of cases were repeat offences, which included a victim and suspected criminal who had previously been involved in a domestic abuse incident.
That means criminals are committing this awful crime and being let away with it, so they can do it all over again and create even more horrible trauma.
It is incredibly apparent from these numbers that there are far too many domestic abuse incidents in Scotland each year.
It’s clear that we must do more to support the survivors who suffer this horrific kind of violence and emotional manipulation. The SNP Government must act.
That’s why I’ve been working hard over the last few months to progress my plan for a Domestic Abuse Register Bill through the Scottish Parliament.
The consultation has now closed and I’m delighted to say that 23 organisations have voiced support for my proposal already.
I am really encouraged by the response to my consultation. Overall, more than 91 per cent of people and organisations who responded to the consultation were supportive, with 86 per cent of all respondents saying they were “fully supportive”.
I am very grateful for the huge amount of support it has received so far. It is a big step in the right direction.
This bill proposal is necessary to crack down on the appalling crime of domestic abuse.
What my bill seeks to achieve is simple - an improved process to alert potential victims that they may be at risk of domestic abuse.
It would do this by bringing in a domestic abuse register, which would be similar to the sex offenders' register.
My bill also contains measures that would increase education about domestic abuse, which would help to prevent violence against women in the first place and spread the word that victims will be treated with respect if they come forward.
There is so much more we can do to help end domestic abuse. I am most determined to find solutions to this appalling crime in BAME communities, where I have seen first-hand that there is still a stigma surrounding domestic abuse. Too often, women feel they can't come forward to report this crime and that is heart-breaking.
So please, if you can, help make my bill a reality by spreading the word about it and writing to the SNP Government to urge them to back my proposals.
My bill needs the support of MSPs from other parties to progress. I am determined to earn their support and work together to end this disgusting crime, so we can give victims the support they deserve.