(For official use only) PUBLIC PETITION NO. PE1103 Should you wish to submit a public petition for consideration by the Public Petitions Committee please refer to the guidance leaflet entitled “How to submit a public petition”. NAME OF PRINCIPAL PETITIONER: Ms Susan Moffat TEXT OF PETITION: Petition by Susan Moffat calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to prioritise the continuing development of strategic work on violence against women by following the 3 P’s approach – active prevention of violence against women and children; adequate provision of quality support services for women and children; and appropriate and effective legal protection for women and children. ACTION TAKEN TO RESOLVE ISSUES OF CONCERN BEFORE SUBMITTING PETITION: Approached Malcolm Chisholm MSP who has supported the Women’s Coalition Statement of Intent 2007. Approached Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP who has presented motion S3M-00548 on Wednesday 26th September 2007. Nicola Sturgeon MSP has publicly given support during First Ministers Question Time on Thursday 27th September 2007 to the Women’s Coalition’s Statement of Intent 2007. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: I am concerned at the continuing high prevalence of violence against women in Scotland in 2007. Scotland has been at the forefront of developing innovative work on violence against women from a gender based analysis. The last decade has seen a number of significant developments in relation to addressing violence against women. This has included the development of a domestic abuse strategy, with related training and prevention strategies, and more recently a broadening out of the focus to encompass the continuum of violence against women, including rape, commercial sexual exploitation and so called traditional practices. Frontline services such as Women’s Aid and Rape Crisis groups (historically over- stretched and under-funded) have benefited from national funding streams such as 1 The Violence Against Women’s Fund and The Rape Crisis Specific Fund. These funds have significantly expanded the services available to women and children across Scotland. It is vital that this work continues if we are to achieve the goal of ultimately ending violence against women. I am requesting that Nicola Sturgeon – Cabinet Secretary for Health & Wellbeing, Stewart Maxwell – Minister for Communities & Sport, Kenny MacAskill – Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Fiona Hyslop – Cabinet Secretary for Education & Lifelong Learning and First Minister Alex Salmond how they will address the following points:- • The sufficient provision of funding to violence against women projects to ensure the continuation of essential service provision to women and children experiencing violence. • The continued development of strategic work on violence against women guided by multi-agency National Group on Violence Against Women and enabled by the Violence Against Women Team within the Equality Unit in the Scottish Government. • Commit to changing public attitudes and behaviours through education initiatives and public awareness campaigns. • For the adoption of a broad definition of violence against women, which makes the links between domestic abuse, rape and commercial sexual exploitation. • Ensure legal protection for women and children experiencing violence. The experience and human impact of violence against women and children constitutes a serious violation of human rights. Conviction rates for rape The conviction rate for rape in Scotland has dropped to a record low of 3.9%. This is the first time the proportion of rapes recorded by the police leading to a conviction has been under 4%. The figures for 2005/2006 are as follows: • crimes of rape recorded by the police: 975 • persons proceeded against for rape: 88 • convictions: 38 (source: Scottish Executive, April 07) The British Crime Survey 2000 estimated that only between 1 in 5 and 1 in 8 women who have experienced rape report it to the police. Sexual history in rape trials New research published indicates that 7 in 10 women complainers in trials for rape or attempted rape will be asked questions in court relating to their sexual history or character. (Source: Impact of Aspects of the law of evidence in sexual offence trials. Scottish Government, 2007) 2 Domestic Abuse facts & figures Domestic abuse has a major impact upon the health and welfare of women and children world-wide. The 1995 World Development Report by the United Nations shows, that on a world scale, it is a significant cause of disability and death. (Social Services Inspectorate (1996) Domestic Violence and Social Care) 5% of health years of life are lost world-wide by women because of domestic abuse (Social Services Inspectorate, 1996). The NCH study found 75% of mothers said their children had witnessed domestic abuse, 33% had seen their mothers beaten up, 10% had witnessed sexual violence (NCH, 1994). In 90% of cases of domestic abuse children are in the same room or the next room. (Hughes 1998) Children make up more than half of residents in refuge. (Scottish Women's Aid) Young Peoples Attitudes Research – Zero Tolerance – 1998 1 in 2 boys and 1 in 3 girls thought that there were some circumstances when it was okay to hit a woman or force her to have sex. Over a third of the boys (36%) thought that they might personally force a woman to have sex. E-PETITION: Do you wish your petition to be hosted on the Parliament’s website as an e-petition? YES X NO If “Yes” please enter a closing date for gathering signatures on your petition, (we would usually recommend a period of around 6 weeks; please also provide at least one comment to set the scene for an on-line discussion on the petition, not exceeding 10 lines of text. CLOSING DATE: 6 December 2007 COMMENTS TO STIMULATE ON-LINE DISCUSSION: The experience and human impact of violence against women and children constitutes a serious violation of human rights. The conviction rate for rape in Scotland has dropped to a record low of 3.9%. 3 The British Crime Survey 2000 estimated that only between 1 in 5 and 1 in 8 women who have experienced rape report it to the police Domestic abuse has a major impact upon the health and welfare of women and children world-wide. 1 in 2 boys and 1 in 3 girls thought that there were some circumstances when it was okay to hit a woman or force her to have sex. Over a third of the boys (36%) thought that they might personally force a woman to have sex. STATEMENT TO THE COMMITTEE: Are you willing and/or available to attend if required by the Convener of the Committee? YES X NO SIGNATURE OF PRINCIPAL PETITIONER: Signature …………………………………………….. Date ……………………….. 4 .