6 January 2009
Immediate release
 
MURRAY BACKS CHANGE IN LAW TO SUPPORT DOMESTIC ABUSE VICTIMS

Dumfries MSP Elaine Murray is backing a proposed bill by a fellow Labour MSP which would better protect women from domestic violence.

Elaine Murray is calling on the Scottish Government to back Labour's Rhoda Grant's bill, which contains three main proposals:

- Make it a criminal offence to breach an interdict with a power of arrest.
- Make legal aid free to all for an application in a civil court for an interdict with a power of arrest or a non-harassment order involving domestic abuse.
- Remove the requirement to show a course of conduct before a non-harassment order could be granted by either the civil or criminal court, requiring only one incident of harassing behaviour.

Elaine Murray said: "As a society we have a duty to protect people from harm and this bill will help us do this. I hope every member of the Scottish Parliament will get behind this move as we owe it victims of this appalling crime to make sure the law is on their side.

"The Scottish Parliament has made great progress on dealing with domestic abuse, but we have some way to go before women, children and others who suffer abuse will be able to sleep safely in their beds without the fear of attack or intimidation.

Elaine Murray was concerned in November when figures released showed that there had been an increase in domestic abuse incidents in Dumfries and Galloway. In 2008/09 there were 1,306 domestic abuse incidents in Dumfries and Galloway compared to 1,204 in 2007/08. This is a rise of 8% and the figures have doubled since 2000/01.

Elaine Murray said: "This increase in domestic abuse incidents in Dumfries and Galloway is very concerning. Everyone involved - police, social services, the NHS - all need to work together to deal tackle the plight of this terrible abuse going on in homes across our region. I hope that at least part of the rise can be attributed to an increase in the confidence of victims to come forward.

"I hope the changes to the law proposed by this bill will be supported by the Parliament so we can improve the lives of domestic abuse victims"
 
ENDS
 
CONTACT - ANDREW MACKENZIE 07769206856