Lord Advocate condemns violence against women

Dec 3 2009 by Marjorie Kerr, West Lothian Courier

A CONFERENCE in West Lothian provided the Lord Advocate with the chance to speak out on domestic violence.

The Right Honourable Elish Angiolini QC, was keynote speaker at the seminar which marked one of the highlights of the county’s Diversity Week.

Violence against women (VAW) was the focus of the event and saw experts speak out on how best to deal with the problem.

West Lothian is leading the way on the issue through an integrated model which sees Community Planning Partners including the council, police and health working to drive service change to benefit women who experience gender-based violence.

Violence against women includes physical, sexual and psychological violence occurring in the family, within the general community, or in institutions.

And the Lord Advocate said it’s important a framework is in place to provide woman with protection.

Elish Angiolini QC said: “Women are often vulnerable to those intent on committing violent and sexual crime, whether in the context of close relationships or at the hands of family members or strangers.

“The prosecution service in Scotland are absolutely committed to tackling violent crime in all its guises.

“That is why we have a strong presumption in favour of prosecuting cases of rape and domestic abuse involving violence, whenever there is sufficient evidence in law to permit prosecution.

“And that is why we recently established a National Sexual Crimes Unit which now leads and directs the investigation and prosecution of all serious sexual crimes in Scotland.

“We want all victims to be confident that their case will be handled professionally and effectively by skilled and experienced prosecutors who are equipped to investigate with rigour and to present compelling cases to juries, when the evidence permits.

“I hope that through the work of all those in the justice system and events such as West Lothian Council’s conference today, women will be encourage to break free of the cycle of intimidation and fear that causes so much misery to them and their children.”

The event coincided with the international 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence campaign, November 25 to December 10.

The conference also hosted the launch of the evaluation of the innovative “This is not an invitation to rape me” media campaign by Sandy Brindley, Rape Crisis Scotland.

Leader of West Lothian Council Peter Johnston, said he was pleased by the outcome of the conference and pledged that the local authority will continue to do all they can to protect women and children.

He said: “We are committed to raising awareness of this important issue and we are delighted to host this conference to highlight the innovative and collaborative work we are carrying out with our colleagues in health and the police to coordinate services for women affected by gender-based violence.”