The minister says decades ago it was commonly believed that if a woman was raped it was her fault and now it is accepted as one of the most abhorrent things that can happen to a woman.

Image source, http://www.scottishwomensaid.org.uk/

The Women’s Aid network, external supports women, children and young people who have experienced domestic abuse across Scotland - from Shetland to the Borders and across a range of services.

We believe that nobody should live in fear, whatever their community. Scottish Women’s Aid is pleased to support our groups and our ultimate aim is to make everyone safer.

We work to achieve effective responses to domestic abuse – and we work to end violence against women by tackling its root cause, which is gender inequality.

The government published a bill to tackle the rise of so-called "revenge porn" in October 2015.

The new law will make it a criminal offence to publish explicit images of someone without their consent.

Image source, PA

The Abusive Behaviour and Sexual Harm Bill will also strengthen police powers to tackle domestic abuse.

Revenge porn often involves someone posting, or threatening to post, intimate photographs or video of a former partner online.

Scotland's senior prosecutor, the Lord Advocate Frank Mulholland, has described it as "a form of insidious abuse designed to inflict humiliation and suffering on its victims".

The government said its measures reflected the way modern technology could be used to perpetrate abuse.

The bill also includes measures to improve justice for victims of domestic abuse, with juries to be given specific directions to ensure they understand the complexity of the law.

Ms Constance says it was Hilary Clinton that told the UN over twenty years ago that this issue must be firmly on the agenda.

The equalities secretary says the 16 days of activism against gender violence is about turning more words into more actions.

She says it is a time for recognition for those working to keep women and children safe.

The minister says Scotland was one of the first countries to have a strategy against domestic abuse.

She praises the National Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline being run by Scottish Women's Aid.

The minister then praises Rape Crisis Scotland for their work.

Image source, UN Women

• It is estimated that 35 per cent of women worldwide have experienced either physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or sexual violence by a non-partner at some point in their lives, external. 
• However, some national studies show that up to 70 per cent of women have experienced physical and/or sexual violence from an intimate partner in their lifetime.

Ms Constance says violence against women and girls is a blight on our society.

The equalities secretary says it must not, cannot and will not be tolerated.

She says in Scotland today it is widely accepted that it is a breach of human rights.

It is vital to tackle violence against women and girls.

Image source, UN Women

From 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to 10 December, Human Rights Day, the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence Campaign, external is a time to galvanize action to end violence against women and girls around the world. 

The international campaign originated from the first Women's Global Leadership Institute coordinated by the Center for Women's Global Leadership in 1991. 

The Scottish government will now lead a debate entitled: 'Recognising 16 Days of Action to End Violence Against Women and Girls'.

The Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence - known as the Istanbul Convention - has been signed by 43 countries, 

Equalities Secretary Angela Constance said before this debate:  

"The Scottish government strongly supports the principles and aspirations of the Istanbul Convention, which the UK government signed in 2012 but has yet to ratify."

Image source, Getty Images

"This week I have again written to UK government - this time to Home Secretary Amber Rudd - asking them to engage on this very important issue, so we can take further action together.

 "We are committed to ending violence against women and girls, and the UK government must now provide a clear timetable for ratification."

Image source, bbc

Theresa May, who was Home Secretary when the UK signed up to the convention, was asked about it during her first session of questions to the prime minister in July.

She said: "It is important to deal with the issues of gender violence and domestic violence against women and girls. That is why the government have - I led this as Home Secretary - a strategy to deal with violence against women and girls.

"We have a good record on what we have done, for example, putting into operation domestic violence protection orders and the new coercive control offence, but there is always more to do and we will be doing that."

Ms Constance wrote to Home Secretary Amber Rudd asking her to commit to the Istanbul Convention and engage with the devolved administrations over it.

The Council of Europe convention, external states that "it is the obligation of the state to fully address" violence against women "in all its forms", take measures to prevent it, protect its victims and prosecute perpetrators.

It was written in April 2011, and while the UK government signed up to it the following year it is yet to ratify it.

Marsha Scott of Scottish Women's Aid said the UK government "has within its grasp to make history" by ratifying the convention.

Image source, bbc

Scotland's communities secretary has called on the UK government to ratify the "Istanbul Convention" on combating violence against women and girls.

Angela Constance has written to Home Secretary Amber Rudd asking for a "clear timetable" for ratification of the Council of Europe convention.

The UK government signed up to the convention in June 2012, but is yet to formally ratify it.

A private members' bill, external on the topic has also been lodged at Westminster.

The UK government has previously said it was studying concerns about parts of the convention cutting across local legal jurisdictions.

That concludes the statement on the age of criminal responsibility and confirmation the age will rise from eight to 12.

Liam McArthur pays tribute to the efforts of former Lib Dem MSP Alison McInnes for her efforts on this issue.

The Lib Dem MSP raises the issue of disclosure.

The minister puts on record his gratitude for Alison McInnes's efforts.

Mr McDonald says work needs to be done to get the balance right on disclosure.

Scottish Greens MSP John Finnie says his party support increasing the age of criminal responsibility.

Mr Finnie asks if training will be given to agencies involved in the changes.

Mr McDonald says there is a list of recommendations from the advisory group and the government will work through them and look at others.

He says the government will look at where agencies already work well together.