Image source, bbc

SNP MSP Rona Mackay says the Bill recognises the psychological damage abuse can cause.

Ms Mackay says controlling and coercive behaviour eats away at the soul of the victim each and every day.

She says: "It is all about control, and controlling by fear."

The SNP MSP says the Bill aims to expose the inadequate bullies who perpetrate coercive and controlling behaviour.

Image source, Scottish Woman's Aid

Taken from the Scottish Women's Aid website:, external

"Scottish Women's Aid is the lead organisation in Scotland working towards the prevention of domestic abuse. We play a vital role campaigning and lobbying for effective responses to domestic abuse.

"An important aspect of our work is ensuring that women and children who have experienced domestic abuse get the services they need, both from local Women’s Aid groups and from the agencies they are likely to contact.

"Our members are local Women’s Aid groups which provide specialist services to women, children and young people. These include safe refuge accommodation, information and support.

"We provide advice, information, training and publications to members and non-members."

Image source, Laura Dodsworth

Ms Dugdale says education and training and resources must be considered for this Bill to be successful.

The Labour MSP says the Bill will have to be properly advertised and the relationship between this Bill and the justice system should also be considered.

She says one of her constituents previously described what life was like for her and her children at the hands of an abuser and the court experience was not a good one.

Ms Dugdale says the abuser was charged with 10 counts of abuse but was bailed and he absconded.

She says he was caught and bailed again and therefore it is important to look at improvements that can be made across the system.

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Scottish Labour MSP Kezia Dugdale says this Bill can't eradicate domestic abuse.

Ms Dugdale says as long as women are unequal in society domestic abuse will persist, as it is about control.

She says yesterday there was a debate on Paisley's bid to be UK City of Culture where members had six minute speeches, whereas today during a Stage One debate on the Domestic Abuse Bill MSPs are only getting four minutes.

The Labour MSP says wonders if that is because the business bureau comprises entirely of men.

Ms Dugdale calls for the parallel offence of domestic abuse against children to be included on the face of the Bill.

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SNP MSP Sandra White welcomes the Domestic Abuse Bill.

Ms White says she is pleased the Bill is looking at addressing controlling and intimidating or threatening behaviour, all psychological abuse.

She highlights the psychological drip, drip affect of coercive control until a victim feels worthless.

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Tory MSP Maurice Corry says domestic abuse is an intolerable, evil act and is totally unacceptable in any form but as it stands the law does not address all abuse.

Mr Corry says the need to address psychological abuse has been stressed by a raft of witnesses.

He calls for a publicity campaign on coercive control to be run on the passing of the Bill.

SNP MSP Mairi Gougeon says under the current system only a small number of cases result in harassment orders being issued.

Ms Gougeon says changes to the Bill would see consideration of harassment orders being mandatory.

She says this is an important piece of legislation and has the capacity to make a difference.

"This insidious crime of domestic abuse will not be tolerated."

Image source, Laura Dodsworth

Scottish Women’s Aid , externaland Zero Tolerance, external have launched a new creative project in collaboration with survivors to show the reality of domestic abuse.

A thousand words is a collection of 15 powerful photos of models taken by acclaimed photographer and storyteller Laura Dodsworth based on the words and experiences of women who have lived through domestic abuse.

The images created are unique; contrary to most depictions of domestic abuse they do not show bruises, or physical violence.

Image source, Laura Dodsworth

Inspired by Scotland’s new Domestic Abuse Bill, the charities say that this is a critical step forward in raising public awareness that domestic abuse is far more than physical violence.

In releasing these images the survivors, charities and photographer hope that women will recognise their own experiences and seek the support that is available.

Ms Baker says pyschological damage must not be trivialised.

The Labour MSP says this Bill must be seen as only the next step in tackling domestic abuse.

She says her party will be fully supportive of the general principles of the Domestic Abuse Bill.

Image source, Laura Dodsworth

Ms Baker says she looks forward to the government's response to the committee on emergency banning orders.

The Labour MSP says it is important that this Bill is consistent with other Bills and scrutiny is important.

She says domestic abuse courts would encourage skills and expertise.

Ms Baker says "training for the judiciary is vital" and the law must be clear and easy to understand for the victims as well as the law.

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Labour MSP Claire Baker says: "There is still work to be done and there is a gap in the law as this Bill recognises."

Ms Baker says Labour is fully supportive that psychological abuse and coercive behaviour become a crime and says her party will back the Bill.

She says Scottish Women's Aid and Children First want the impact of domestic abuse on children to be addressed on the face of the Bill.

Ms Baker says this must be looked at Stage 2 of the Bil.

Mr Kerr says domestic abuse is monstrous and more must be done to support victims.

"There is a gap in our law," he says.

He says his party will support the Bill today but hopes the government will listen to the committee's and other members' concerns today.

Image source, Laura Dodsworth

Mr Kerr says far too often in cases of domestic abuse there may be a number of issues heard in different courts.

The Tory MSP says a number of sheriffs can be involved with an individual family case.

He says: "That means potentially victims have to relive their ordeal."

The Tory MSP says trials of one family one judge have been run in American and Australia.

He says this could avoid the trauma of having to retell harrowing stories again and again.

Tory MSP Liam Kerr says the current law can fail to recognise the lived experience of abuse over time.

Mr Kerr says the Bill is intended to improve how the justice system deals with domestic abuse.

The Tory MSP says the Scottish Conservatives support this Bill and will vote to agree the general principles.

He says some of the horrific abuse is not currently covered by law and that is what the Bill seeks to address.

Image source, bbc

Ms Mitchell says non-harassment orders are not being used when they are supposed to.

The Tory MSP says some organisations made the case for emergency banning orders which would exclude the abuser from a home immediately.

She says she wants to pay tribute to the courage and eloquence of the victims of abuse who shared their stories with the committee.

Ms Mitchell says the committee recommends the parliament approve the general principles of the Domestic Abuse Bill.

Justice Committee convener Margaret Mitchell says the committee recommends that there should be a publicity campaign to highlight the new law.

Ms Mitchell says the committee recommends that the funding of agencies dealing with cases must be kept under review.

She says punishment for the crime could be up to 14 years imprisonment and the government has asked for more information on this.

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Justice Committee convener Margaret Mitchell says the committee heard that the current law does not effectively reflect the lived experience of many victims.

Ms Mitchell says some of the appalling conduct victims described to the committee cannot be prosecuted.

She says the committee agrees reform is way overdue.

The Tory MSP says a minority of witnesses including the Scottish Police Federation and lawyers warned against making bad law.

She says the new offence addresses abuse between partners, but sometimes third parties can be used, for example children.

Mr Matheson says this is a groundbreaking approach that will put Scotland at the forefront of criminalising coercive control.

The justice secretary says the government aims to change societal attitudes to what domestic abuse is.

He moves the motion.