This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Prosecutors and police tackle domestic abuse
24/11/2004
A new joint code of practice for the Scottish
prosecution service and police tol help them tackle
domestic abuse and protect victims across Scotland
was signed today.
Solicitor General, Elish Angiolini QC, was speaking at
the Scottish Women's Aid conference in Crieff where she and
Mr David Strang, chairman of the Association of Chief
Police Officers in Scotland (ACPOS) and Chief Constable for
Dumfries & Galloway, formally signed the Crown Office
and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) / ACPOS Domestic
Abuse Protocol.
The protocol identifies best practice to deliver a
consistency of approach in the investigation, reporting and
prosecution of domestic abuse cases, with a view to
improving the service provided to the public, in particular
to victims, and in dealing with criminal conduct. The
protocol also recognises the diversity of cultures,
religions, ethnicity and sexual orientation that make up
Scottish society.
Elish Angiolini said:
"This protocol will help to ensure that victims of
domestic abuse are afforded as much protection as the law
is capable of providing and are guaranteed the same high
level of response wherever they are in Scotland.
"I hope too it will instil greater confidence in those
experiencing domestic abuse by ensuring that those who are
brought into the justice system at their most vulnerable
point are properly informed about the decisions which will
be taken and have the certainty that their experience of
domestic abuse will be met with a response which is
sensitive to their particular experience."
The protocol is part of a national commitment by the
COPFS and ACPOS to ensure that domestic abuse is met with a
robust response by the prosecution service and police.
Mr David Strang, who signed the protocol as chairman of
ACPOS, said:
"The Scottish Police Service, working together with
other organisations, has made significant improvements in
how we respond to domestic abuse. This progress has been
achieved by listening to victims and those that represent
them.
"This protocol has been developed from the clear message
that we were being given. It also demonstrates the
commitment of both the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal
Service and the Scottish Police Service, ensuring that
criminal cases arising from domestic abuse are treated in a
manner that will support the victim.
"It is acknowledged that victims of domestic abuse face
particular difficulties and pressures and this protocol has
been developed to recognise this and provide them with
support and reassurance."
The protocol has been issued to all Procurators Fiscal
in Scotland. It is part of a much wider programme of work
on domestic abuse, which includes work with Scottish
Women's Aid (SWA) to build on the training of Procurators
Fiscal.
Johann Lamont, Deputy Communities Minister said; "It
takes a lot of courage for people to report domestic abuse
and when they do, we must ensure there is consistency in
the support provided by the police and the justice systems.
I welcome the launch of this new code of practice.
"Support services like refuges, a telephone helpline and
specialist workers are in place to help women through these
times. There has been a huge change in the way the public
views domestic abuse, but unfortunately the behaviour of
many men has not changed. There is still much to be done
and we will not rest while there are tens of thousands of
women and children living with this threat."
Statistics show that one in five women in Scotland
experience domestic abuse at some point during their lives.
Over 36,000 incidents of domestic abuse were reported to
police in 2002.
The protocol can be viewed on the COPFS website at:
www.crownoffice.gov.uk on the News page attached to
this press release.
Victims of domestic abuse are eligible for support and
information from the Victim Information and Advice (VIA)
service, a part of the COPFS.