SNP MSP Ben McPherson pays tribute to his predecessor's work against violence against women, former Labour MSP Malcolm Chisholm.

Mr McPherson says too often and for too long strength has been thought of as physical prowess or levels of aggressiveness. 

The SNP MSP says violence against women stems back to the patriarchy.

He says we all need to play a role in challenging that and changing that.

Image source, Scottish Parliament

The Scottish parliament offers 35% or 45 women MSPs, the same tally as 2011, and again lower than that of the parliament’s inception in 1999, of 37% and 48 women. 

Scottish Conservative MSP Oliver Mundell says there have been many great strides forward in tackling domestic abuse and the Scottish government deserves credit, but more needs to be done.

Mr Mundell says he hopes, before his political career is over, we reach a stage where these debates are no longer required. 

The Tory MSP says stereotypes and outdated views on women's place in society must be changed and says that women can hold the highest office in society such as that of first minister.

He says he supports women's involvement in parliament. 

Labour leader Kezia Dugdale intervenes to ask if he supports the 50:50 Campaign which would see the same amount of women in parliament as men.

He says he would like to see a 50/50 balance but that would be better achieved by encouraging young women into politics. 

Equally Safe, external is Scotland's strategy for preventing and eradicating violence against women and girls.

The government says:  "Our aim is to prevent and eradicate violence against women and girls, creating a strong and flourishing Scotland where all individuals are equally safe and respected, and where women and girls live free from such abuse – and the attitudes that help perpetuate it."  

Scotland is to become one of the first countries in the world to criminalise psychological abuse, Holyrood has heard.

Justice Secretary Michael Matheson was speaking as MSPs debated the Domestic Abuse Bill in the Scottish Parliament in September.

He used the debate to condemn the "pernicious, coercive and controlling behaviour" of perpetrators.

Police Scotland recorded almost 60,000 cases of domestic abuse in 2014-15.

The majority (79%) of cases involved a male perpetrator and a female victim.

The new bill will create a specific offence of "abusive behaviour in relation to a partner or ex-partner".

Image source, bbc

Lib Dem MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton says the Scottish government has rightly embarked on a range of programmes and strategies against this stain on Scotland's character.

Mr Cole Hamilton cites a number of these including the forthcoming Domestic Abuse Law and the Equally Safe Strategy. 

The Lib Dem MSP says we must ensure these strategies must be implemented from a rights base perspective.

He says equal protection must be afforded to children

The Lib Dem says this is the last frontier and he says his party will support John Finnie in his efforts to afford children equal protection.

SNP MSP James Dornan says he doesn't know what it is like to be a victim in his own home or be forced to hide under a bed with his children.

Mr Dornan says he has never faced this but far too many women have.  

The SNP MSP says stress and fear takes its toll on the victims and often women dealing with this abuse are reported as becoming more frail as a result of it.

He says many children do not report abuse because they think it is normal or because they are too scared. 

Scottish Greens MSP John Finnie says this is a "daily problem and a daily nightmare" for many women and children that face violence.

Mr Finnie says this will only be addressed if we enhance women's rights. 

The Greens MSP says to the "cowards" that inflict violence, "the police are coming to get you."

He says men know the power that they have and it is quite disgraceful that he watched the president elect growl behind his opponent on one occasion "simply because she is a woman."

On the issue of so-called honour killings he says "thuggery is thuggery". 

Image source, bbc

Ms Grant makes a final plea in regard for parental access when there has been domestic abuse.

The Labour MSP says children are too often used as a weapon by domestic abusers.

Surely an abuser should lose all of their parental rights, says Ms Grant.

Only when someone is shown to be a fit parent should they gain access.

Image source, UN Women: Violence against Women statistics

• Forty-three per cent of women in the 28 European Union Member States have experienced some form of psychological violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime, external
• Around 120 million girls worldwide (slightly more than 1 in 10) have experienced forced intercourse or other forced sexual acts at some point in their lives. By far the most common perpetrators of sexual violence against girls are current or former husbands, partners or boyfriends.
•  Adult women account for almost half of all human trafficking victims detected globally. Women and girls together account for about 70 per cent, with girls representing two out of every three child trafficking victims f

Image source, Rape Crisis Scotland

Rape Crisis Scotland (RCS) , externalis the national office for the rape crisis movement in Scotland. 

It supports the work of local centres, external and develop new centres in areas where there are no or few specialist services. 

It also works with other agencies such as the police, Crown Office and health services providing training and consultancy to improve the response to those who are affected by and who perpetrate sexual violence. 

Through its campaigns, external, briefings and publications, external we raise awareness of sexual violence, challenge attitudes and press for legal change.

The Rape Crisis Scotland National Helpline, external provides crisis support for anyone in Scotland affected by sexual violence at any time in their lives.