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The Scottish Parliament has approved new legislation that will see a review of murders and suicides linked to domestic abuse. The aim of this legislation is to prevent further deaths by examining selected cases through an independent panel. The bill, known as the Criminal Justice Modernisation and Abusive Domestic Behaviour Reviews (Scotland) Bill, also includes changes to modernize the justice system, such as allowing court appearances via video call.
Justice Secretary Angela Constance introduced the bill, which will establish a panel to review cases of domestic abuse-related homicide or suicide. These reviews will commence in the spring of the next year and will focus on situations where public authorities or voluntary organizations were involved in the events leading up to the tragic deaths. The bill acknowledges domestic homicide as a gendered crime, predominantly committed by men against women. However, the reform will also consider cases involving male victims of domestic violence.
The Scottish government plans to extend the review model to cover honor killings in the future. Police Scotland recorded approximately 64,000 domestic abuse incidents in 2023-24, showcasing the pressing need for such reforms. The review panel will consist of individuals with expertise in domestic abuse, policing, or parole boards. The bill also includes provisions for virtual court attendance, digital document signing, and alternative fixed penalty fines.
Despite concerns about the cost of implementing the review model, Victim Support Scotland has expressed support for the bill. Justice Secretary Angela Constance emphasized the importance of learning from these reviews to improve services and better protect victims of domestic abuse. The legislation has received backing from various political parties, with Scottish Labour welcoming the move to combat violence against women and girls. Scottish Green justice spokeswoman Maggie Chapman praised the bill as a step toward a more responsive and integrity-driven justice system
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