Justice Secretary hopes new Bill will lead to fewer domestic abuse deaths

A new “robust” review process is to be introduced after all deaths where domestic abuse is involved – with Scotland’s Justice Secretary Angela Constance saying the move could lead to fewer such deaths in the future.

Ms Constance said that while overall homicide rates in Scotland were falling, there were sill a “significant number” of people killed by their partner or an ex-partner, with the “vast majority” of these being women.

If passed by Holyrood, however, the Criminal Justice Modernisation and Abusive Domestic Behaviour Reviews (Scotland) Bill, would require a “robust” review to take place following the death of a partner, ex-partner, or child where abuse is known or suspected.

Ms Constance said this change would help the authorities identify “what lessons can be learned following known or suspected domestic abuse deaths”.

Under the Scottish Government proposals, justice, health and social care bodies, as well as the local council and others would seek to identify what could have been done better in order to try to prevent further deaths.

As the Bill was published, Ms Constance visited a new information board at a previously unmarked memorial cairn in Edinburgh’s Holyrood Park constructed to honour Margaret Hall, who was murdered by her husband in 1720.

The Justice Secretary said: “One death involving domestic abuse is one too many.

“While overall homicide rates are falling, there remains a significant number of victims who are killed by a partner or ex-partner, with the vast majority being women.

“Our plans for a new review process will ensure agencies across justice, health, social care, local government and the third sector are working together to identify what lessons can be learned following known or suspected domestic abuse deaths.”

Ms Constance added: “I hope that identifying what needs to improve will mean there are fewer deaths of this kind.

“Ultimately, however, the change we need to see will only happen when those who perpetrate domestic abuse – the majority of whom are men – change their actions and behaviour.”

The Bill also sets out modernise Scotland’s justice sector through greater use of digital technology, including using this for evidence-sharing.

It will make permanent a number of temporary measures put in place during the Covid pandemic, which allow for “virtual” attendance at criminal courts and electronic signing and sending of documents in criminal cases, as well as increasing the maximum level of fiscal fines that can be imposed.

Here, Ms Constance said the changes were “already delivering better outcomes” so it was “right that we look to make them permanent”.

She added: “The Bill, which is backed by justice partners, including the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service, also supports greater use of digital technology, which will modernise the justice system even further.”