Domestic Abuse Oral Question, 04/02/10 [S}

During Question Time on 4 February 2010 Nigel Don (SNP) asked the Scottish Government what steps are being considered to increase support available to male victims of domestic abuse and their children.

The Minister for Housing and Communities, Alex Neil, replied that the Scottish Government is aware of the increase in the number of cases in which men report domestic abuse to the police. Many professional agencies in Scotland offer services to victims of domestic abuse regardless of gender, including the police, NHS Scotland, Victim Support Scotland and local authority social work and housing services. Male victims can also access services within the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, such as victim information and advice, witness services and use of the vulnerable witness provisions where that is appropriate.

The primary issue is to ensure that male victims of domestic abuse and their children are aware of those services and able to access them. The Scottish Government is considering options for providing dedicated helpline support for male victims to enable them to access appropriate services.

For the full answer to this and any subsidiary questions see the Scottish Parliament Official Report 4 February 2010 which is available from the Scottish Parliament website.

Further Information

Scottish Parliament Official Report 4 February 2010

Home     More Articles - Parliamentary Proceedings