Police are to be allowed to act on uncorroborated evidence to arrest suspects in domestic abuse cases who breach their bail conditions.
Police are to be allowed to act on uncorroborated evidence to arrest suspects in domestic abuse cases who breach their bail conditions.
Officers will also be given full background briefings on individual family histories before attending incidents under a new national protocol announced yesterday.
The move came as ministers launched the latest phase of a £44m crackdown on domestic violence and introduced adverts, voiced by actress Daniela Nardini, encouraging women to report their suffering.
The high-profile campaign includes written messages from Dana Delany who plays the abused Katherine Mayfair in Desperate Housewives, and Sex and the City star Kim Cattrall. The television adverts, entitled I Soar, will be shown from Boxing Day and aim to highlight the help available to those experiencing domestic abuse.
Stewart Maxwell, Minister for Communities and Sport, said: "Violence against women must not be tolerated in any form. We know the effects of domestic abuse can be devastating, including on children and young people, and we are determined to tackle it, wherever and whenever it occurs.
"Over the next three years the Scottish Government is committing over £44m to tackle violence against women.
"Christmas is a time when many families are affected by domestic abuse and calls to the helpline and police increase. I hope that many women will see this year's adverts and take the first steps towards seeking help to rid their lives of domestic abuse."
However, Labour claimed the SNP government was not doing enough and was "letting down" Scotland's women. "Women must not be left to suffer in silence," said Iain Gray, Labour Holyrood leader. "Pressure on organisations like Scottish Women's Aid increases but the SNP are not doing enough.
"They have left it to local councils but not enough local authorities are making it a priority. It is the Scottish Government's duty to give a lead. Alex Salmond must make it a ministerial duty to act on violence against women under the Gender Equality Duty."
The launch of the latest phase of the government campaign coincided with the unveiling of a new Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (Acpos) and Crown Office protocol outlining the procedures that should be followed by police forces and prosecution staff when dealing with domestic abuse.
The protocol aims to increase confidence in the criminal justice system and inform and guide victims through the process. It explains that officers do not require corroboration to bring abusers who have breached, or are about to breach, their bail conditions to court.
Under Section 28 of the Criminal Procedures (Scotland) Act, officers can arrest and return to court those breaching their conditions and the judge can apply additional conditions as a result. However, without corroboration officers cannot present a separate charge for breaching bail.
"The protocol originally introduced in 2004 has now been revised and will inform officers that if someone breaches bail they will not necessarily need two witnesses to take them back to court," said Assistant Chief Constable Bill Skelly for Acpos. "The protocol also says officers need to be fully briefed on background information before attending a domestic abuse incident. It is about ensuring people are not re-victimised."
Elish Angiolini, QC, Lord Advocate, said: "We are continually increasing our understanding of the dynamics of domestic abuse. By working closely with the police our robust policy will enable us to make the best informed decisions, appropriate to each case."
Ms Nardini said: "Living a life free of abuse is possible. Be strong. Seek help. They are waiting for your call."
To watch the domestic abuse advert click here
