 The final item of business this evening is a member's business debate on motion 6 to 9, in the name of Pam Goswell, on recognising the international date for the elimination of violence against women. The debate will be concluded without any questions being put. I invite members wishing to participate to press the request to speak buttons now or as soon as possible. Pam Goswell has opened the debate for around seven minutes. It is an honour to bring forward today's debate to mark the international day for the elimination of violence against women and girls, which will take place this Friday on November 25, which is followed by the 16 days of activism. This year's theme is unite activism to end violence against women and girls. Thanks to our dedicated police force and our endlessly dedicated third sector organisations, women in Scotland have a voice. The drive to make the world a safer place for women and girls gains more momentum every year and this year is no different. As always, there remains a hard battle to be won, whether that's against anti-feminist movements, human traffickers or lone abusers. But women will not back down. Just look at the bravery and resilience of the Iranian women who are protesting following the suspicious death of Masa Amini. They are fighting for their freedom and today we all stand in solidarity with them. The UK is a leader in women's rights and we cannot afford to go backwards and we cannot grow complacent. Is the member aware of comments reported today from a leading United Nations official who warns that the SNP's gender self-id law risks endangering women and calls for it to be put on hold? I thank the member for her intervention as this is a very serious point. It is deeply concerning that the United Nations experts on violence against women has expressed her concerns over legislation passing through this chamber right now. After months, if not years, of the SNP telling women that their concerns over the GRR Bill were imaginary, the United Nations has confirmed that it could, and I quote, potentially open the door for violent males to abuse the process of acquiring a gender certificate and that it does present risks to the safety of women. I would like to take this opportunity in this debate about eliminating violence against women to urge the SNP if they won't listen to the concerns of women, campaigners and even their own members to listen to the United Nations experts and not bring in any law which might harm the rights of safety of women. As I say, we cannot afford to go backwards. The recorded crime in Scotland statistics for 2021 to 2022 provide a bleak snapshot of the dangers facing women and girls in Scotland. For example, sexual crimes by 15 per cent have soared on the year before, which is the equivalent of 96 per cent rise since 2012. Worse yet, even less of those sexual crimes have been solved. I acknowledge the efforts that have been made to develop policy to tackle violence against women and girls. However, this is quite clearly not going far enough. Women shouldn't have to walk home with their keys rammed between their knuckles in case they come across in the silent, but we do. Women shouldn't have to walk the long way home to avoid quiet areas and blind spots, but we do. Women shouldn't have to watch for shadows cast on paths as they walk home, but we do. Until we don't, we cannot stop looking for new ways to tackle violence against women and girls, which brings me on to my next area of focus. That often takes place a lot closer to home domestic abuse. Last year, domestic abuse statistics were shocking. In 2020-21, more than 65,000 incidents of domestic abuse were recorded by Police Scotland. Even more tragic is that half of those were committed by re-offenders. Throughout the year, I have engaged with countless domestic abuse organisations and individuals. One of whom said to me that they cannot understand how an abuser is able to ruin so many lives and get off so lightly for their crimes. That is exactly why I brought forward my proposals for the Domestic Abuse Prevention Scotland Bill. If one thing is clear, it is that. Our register must be created to stop perpetrators moving from area to area and from victim to victim. We need to do more to ensure that rehabilitation is no longer a postcode lottery. We must improve the data that we collect on domestic abuse to understand the support and services that are required in different communities, because one size does not fit all. That is particularly the case for lame and disabled individuals. Finally, education. Children at a young age must be taught that domestic abuse is wrong. They need to know what an unhealthy relationship looks like and to be aware of the support services available to them. I would like to take this opportunity to thank every organisation, every individual who has taken their time to complete my consultation, which is closed now. As I have outlined today, there is a clear-cut case for doing more. I hope that you all will give my proposed bill due consideration. In conclusion, I would like to end my contribution. First, by recognising the endless activism of the third sector who are there to fight the corner of victims. Secondly, by uniting together in the knowledge that our efforts will make a difference to the lives of women and girls around the world. And last but not least, we must all commit today to do more, to be their voices. We cannot give up. We must eradicate violence against women and girls. Thank you, Ms Gozel. It will not surprise the chamber to learn that there is an awful lot of interest in this evening's debate. I would be grateful, therefore, if members could stick broadly to their time allocations with that. We move to the open debate. I call, firstly, Michelle Thomson to be followed by Pauline McNeill for around four minutes, Ms Thomson. Thank you, Presiding Officer. I am grateful to Pam Gozel for this debate in recognising the importance of the international day for the elimination of violence against women. Even though I have had my own challenging experiences in the past, I am very sensitive to the fact that many women across the world face much more deadly threats and repression than anyone in our country of Scotland will have experienced. I therefore want to dedicate my speech to the courageous women and girls of Iran. They display a quite remarkable heroism standing against repression and brutality. Their cause is admirably summed up in their cry, Zan Zendegi Azadi, women, life, freedom. Throughout history, Iranian women have participated in national protests. Today, they are leading the way confronting the Iranian regime's abusive and regressive treatment of women and girls. Regrettably, the Iranian Government is responding with lethal force. The brutal killing of 22-year-old Maz Amini by Iran's so-called morality police has sparked nationwide protests. In violent crackdowns, the regime is trying to crush calls for the human rights of women to be recognised. Already over 100 civilians, including at least 23 children, have been killed with impunity since 19 September 2022. It seems unimaginable that scores of women and children are being brutally murdered by cowardly men to protect the immorality of a brutal regime. It is not only the evil of the killings that concern me, though. Countless numbers are being thrown into prison to face torture. A Sonya Angelica Dian has recently written, and I quote, In Iran, men and women are equal only in torture. Torture is a standard method of the regime in terms of direct physical torture. It includes whippings, being hung by the hands for lengthy periods, or being forced to sit for many hours with hands tied together behind the back. As part of systematic psychological torture, techniques include total isolation for weeks or even months, enforcing deprivation, threats of sexual violence and the threats of violence towards our family. Those acts are happening as we speak. The UN special reporter on violence against women, Professor Rashida Mangu, revealed in his report of October 2013 that torture in Iranian prisons included men raping virgins prior to execution. That women and young girls are therefore brave enough in such a society to throw off their headscarfs and confront the violence of state police are extraordinary acts of bravery. Courage is indeed calling to courage in Iran. We need as many international voices as possible to put pressure on the Iranian regime to end all torture. I join my voice with that palm gozel. I hope that the members participating in this debate feel able to add their own voices. In this international day for the elimination of violence against women, let us all join the Iranian rallying cry for women, for life, for freedom. Zan, Zendegi, Azadi, indeed. Pauline McNeill, to be followed by Russell Finlay, again around four minutes. Thank you to Pam Gosel for nominating this important debate for her members' business this evening. I must apologise to Pam and to other speakers that I didn't realise we'd gone so late tonight, so unfortunately I can't remain for the whole debate, but I really wanted to speak in it. On 25 November, we observed the international day for the elimination of violence against women. On this day, we are reminded of all the women and girls who are victims of male violence, and we are reminded of the need to eradicate all forms of violence against women and girls as a matter of urgency. On Friday, we will launch our consultation on changing the future of women and girls, simply because we want to be part of the conversation about how we can change this for all time. I, too, applaud the bravery of Iranian women marching in the streets, but I would add that many other women in other countries have also been brave. In Saudi Arabia, for example, and in Afghanistan, in those regimes speaking out, in many other countries across the world where girls are not given an education, where they are treated appallingly, is an extension of widespread global discrimination against women and girls. Gender-based violence is one of the most systematic, socially-tolerated human rights violations of our time, and global estimates published by the World Health Organization in 2021 indicate that one in three women worldwide will experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime. At least one in five women in Scotland will experience domestic abuse, too. An average of six rapes are reported every day, and, shockingly, I'm sure we've debated this before, the figures lowest 7 per cent of reported rapes and attempted rapes make it to court in Scotland in 2021. Figures released by the Scottish Government yesterday revealed that reported sexual crimes were 6 per cent higher on the year ending this September. What you see here, worryingly, is that the trend, unfortunately, is rising. The question that we must answer is how we are going to tackle the root cause of this. The root cause of this will be the same in Scotland as it is in the rest of the world. I know that the ministers share this view, but it's a question that we need to continue to return to. The epidemic of misogyny and inequality across our society. Research has shown that socially-constructed gender norms that socialise boys and men tend to value hierarchy, aggression, power, respect and emotional suppression may be the primary root cause of violence against women. In those debates, you always find that you're literally on your last minute and you feel you haven't really said anything at all. I really have to just save in conclusion on this debate. For me, the most important thing, I could go through more statistics, which are shocking. The most important thing is that this Parliament must continue to do the work in identifying the root causes. We know that boys of a certain age who we've seen this time and time again are mimicking the behaviour of other males. In a sense, we've got to break that cycle. We've got to break the cycle of young girls who arguably are more harassed now than they were in my generation. Figures show that they're harassed going to school, and the advent of social media means that many of them are under pressure to give nude photographs of themselves as part of a normalised way of growing up. That should not be normal. That is not acceptable behaviour in schools, and I conclude by saying that. I know that Christine McElvie, Angela Robison, will say tonight about their work of equally safe. I think that I really do support the programme. I'd like to see extended in every school. If I can make one request, I'd like to see this in action if I may. We must work together to eradicate violence against women and girls. Thank you. Thank you very much, Ms McElvie. I now call Russell Finlay to be followed by Beatrice Wishart for around four minutes. Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. Let me also begin by thanking my colleague Pam Goswell for bringing forward this important debate. I also absolutely associate myself and my party with the comments from Michelle Thompson about the heroism and tragedy taking place in Iran. Indeed, as Pauline McNeill says, the bravery of women fighting similar battles in so many other countries around the world. Pam's campaigning work on domestic abuse and violence is a shining example of the good that this Parliament can do. Her bill to create a domestic abuse register should be commended and supported by MSPs across the chamber. It's a strong, well-intentioned and well-considered proposal. It would introduce a system along the same lines as the sex offender's register. Those who commit violence within the home would be added to the database by a sheriff. Police officers would then have access to this information about those who pose such a risk. Police Scotland already operates such a scheme. It's called the Disclosure Scheme for Domestic Abuse Scotland. That gives people the right to ask about the background of their partner. Pam's register, which is still being shaped, may go even further. I strongly believe that transparency should be central to our justice system. Secrecy and closed doors are a feature of so many of the scandals we've seen in which victims have been let down. There should be no hiding place for those who commit domestic violence and abuse. Pam has already highlighted the scandal at one in three women. Mr Finlay, I know that it's a member's debate and it's slightly more informal, but if I could encourage you to use full names rather than discussions, thank you. Apologies. I didn't realise that was the form. Pam Goswell has already highlighted the scandal that one in three women suffer from violence, but it's a global problem. As my colleague said, let's not lose sight of the fact that Scotland and the rest of the United Kingdom are at the forefront of women's rights. This is true today as it has been historically. However, it is a problem that we can do more to tackle. Women in Scotland still face discrimination and misogyny, abuse and violence every day. It seems that every week I speak with women who have been through the horrors of sexual assault or rape, women who have been stalked, preyed on or had their drinks spiked, women who have had their lives trashed by abusers with revenge porn, emotional abuse or everyday low-level harassment. Just this afternoon I met the chief constable of British Transport Police who told me that an estimated 75 per cent of sexual offences on our railways pass unreported. Many women share a belief that Scotland's justice system does not always live up the values that it likes to a spouse and I agree. Right now our justice system remains stacked against victims. The Parliament could act more decisively to tackle violence against women. We could increase sentences for violent and sexual crimes. We could make sure those who commit unspeakable acts serve their full sentences. We could end automatic early release. We could increase pitifully low rates of conviction for sex assaults and rapes. We could make the justice system more understanding and compassionate. We could stop sex offenders changing their names and indeed their gender. We could ensure courts deliver justice much more quickly. We could stop men from exploiting the courts to prolong their abuse and we could pass Pam Goswell's domestic abuse register bill. If anyone in this Parliament of any party wants to progress any of these policies to end violence against women, this bill is a good place to start. In closing, I hope that we will step up and use our powers to end violence against women. Thank you. Thank you very much indeed, Mr Finlay. I call Beatrice Wishart to be followed by Carol Mocken again around four minutes. Thank you, Presiding Officer. I'm pleased to speak today to recognise the international day for the elimination of violence against women. Thank you to Pam Goswell for bringing this important debate to the chamber. Gender-based violence refers to harmful acts directed at an individual or individuals based on their gender. It is rooted in gender inequality, abusive power and harmful norms. Violence against women is any act of gender-based violence that results in or is likely to result in physical, sexual or mental harm or suffering to women and girls. Those definitions demonstrate that violence against women occurs both privately within families and communities and publicly perpetrated or condoned by the state. Since the pandemic began, 45 per cent of women report that they or a woman they know has experienced a form of violence. Lockdowns, increased isolation and economic uncertainty exposed women and girls to increased rates of domestic violence and child marriage. Violence against women remains one of the most pervasive human rights violations across the globe. Impunity, stigma and shame result in underreporting and failures to address problems. Here in Scotland, the death of Adrian McCartney, as reported in the Sunday Post last week, shows the horrific consequences of structural failings to address violence against women. It is heartbreaking to read the litany of failures from public authorities who are supposed to protect her. I am sure that members here tonight would join me in extending deepest sympathy to Adrian's family and friends. Action is needed. We need recognition that women suffer directly and indirectly from male violence and biased patriarchal systems. I turn now to highlight the situation faced by women and girls in Afghanistan now over a year since the Taliban returned to power. Women and girls in Afghanistan are being systemically excluded from public life. Human rights violations against women and girls are increasing. Girls are no longer allowed to school past sixth grade. Women barred from most jobs and effectively eliminated from political participation. Women facing increased restrictions on their movements and bodies. Removing education from girls violates their right to education and creates lifelong adverse consequences. Maniza, a teacher, said to UN Women, I asked the international community to listen to Afghan women. I say, we are hearing you, Maniza. From a councillor who helps women heal from trauma and enrol in literacy and vocational training to a human rights defender who has stayed in Afghanistan to help women, Afghan women continue to unite, forming new civil society groups, reopening businesses, all under constant threat of violence. I turn now to Iran where a woman led protest movement demanding political freedom is persisting, as Michelle Thompson highlighted. In addition to laws on women's clothing, the government ratified a law which criminalises abortion and restricts family planning. Catalyzed by the death and custody of Masa Emini, women-led protesters are pushing back against increasing government control over women's lives. When we spoke in this chamber for International Women's Day in March, our thoughts were of the women of Ukraine. Nine months on, impacts of war continue to disproportionately affect women and girls. A UN report highlights school age girls are at a higher risk of being forced out of school and into marriage. Women faced food security, insecurity, increased care responsibilities and heightened risk of sexual violence. Presiding Officer, across the world, civil society organisations, women's networks and human rights defenders are working tirelessly to combat violence against women. Efforts to end violence against women must be inclusive and intersectional, paying attention to the multiple discriminations by many women, including women with disabilities and LGBT-plus women. Together, let's unite in activism to end violence against women and girls. Thank you, Presiding Officer. Thank you very much, Ms Wishart. I now call Carol Mawchen to be followed by Maggie Chapman again around four minutes. Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I start by thanking Pam Gozzle for bringing this debate to the chamber tonight. One of my first speeches last year was, in fact, the debate on eliminating violence against women. In that speech, I remember reflecting on the fact that, while working across the globe on this issue is to be commended and essential, it must make us in this chamber think. We have a responsibility. We, the elected members in this Parliament, we have a responsibility to work hard, to make decisions, to make action happen, to ensure that we don't have the same remarks to make in years to come. I am here speaking again to ensure that we in the Scottish Parliament do all that we can to raise awareness, change and implement suitable laws and amplify the voices of women and girls. The theme this year is Unite, coming together to end gender-based violence. I again thank Pam Gozzle for allowing us here in this chamber to do just that. Deputy Presiding Officer, as the motion says, violence against women and girls continues to be one of the most pervasive human rights violations worldwide. The statistics of damming affects more than an estimated one in three women, and that is estimated that an average of a woman or girl is killed by someone in their own family every 11 minutes across the globe, every 11 minutes across the globe. Since the outbreak of Covid-19, emerging data and reports from those on the front line have shown that all types of violence against women and girls, particularly domestic violence, as we have heard, has intensified. Each woman who is a victim of violence must be treated equally and fairly by an establishment that understands or at least seeks to begin to understand why they have gone through this. We need a global collective effort to stop it and we need to understand that everyone has a role to play. That begins with accepting that this is a serious problem across the globe and we do not have that under control. It means more honesty from governments, it means direct engagement with grassroots organisations, health and recovery charities and global institutions. It means prevention strategies focused on early education, respectful relationships and working with men and boys, especially through and in the media, in the sports industry, in the world of work and, as my colleague Pauline mentioned, becoming much more to the front as the social media aspect. We must tackle this here in Scotland and right across the globe. Parliamentary means must push to ensure women's representation at all levels in politics, in economic development, in governance and in planning. The list is endless, but until women and girls have full and equal representation, until that is addressed, it is unlikely that we will change those dreadful statistics. Deputy Presiding Officer, there is so much to be done, but I will close by thanking my colleagues here today who have raised really important issues about violence against women and girls from right across the globe. I know that we can unite in this Parliament to end this outrageous blight on global society and make sure we tackle violence against women and girls. Thank you. Thank you very much indeed, Ms Mocken. I now call Maggie Chapman to be followed by Marie McNair again around four minutes. Thank you, Presiding Officer. I'm grateful to Pam Goswell for securing this debate and to have the opportunity to speak on this topic two days before the international day for the elimination of violence against women and the 16 days of activism. I'd like also to thank all those organisations and agencies who work day in and day out to support survivors. I refer colleagues to my register of interests. The existence of this official day is perhaps the sign of progress that the reality of violence against women and girls is being recognised by institutions and decision makers. But how much of a picture are we really seeing? What image arises when we think of gender-based violence? Is the woman cis and straight with all her papers in order dressed and behaving appropriately? And her attacker? Is he a stranger to her? A man without authority, not in uniform visibly unreliable, criminal, monstrous? We know that not all violence against women follows this pattern and yet the more it deviates from this image, the less sure we are of how wrong it is. The UN webpage for the day recognises this, identifying those women particularly likely to be attacked. Not the meekly respectable but the outsiders including and I quote women who identify as lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex, migrants and refugees. It is no coincidence that these identities are those who suffer societal prejudice and depression. For the problem of violence against women is not one of isolated incidents perpetrated by individual men of intrinsic evil. They are symptoms of a deeper disease. A disease not just of misogyny but of homophobia, transphobia, xenophobia and a visceral fear of difference and of sharing privilege and status. Worse than that, those incidents are in reality a harvest the expected outcome of the seeds that are planted, watered and fed, not only by men not only by tabloid presses but not only by populist demagogues not only in countries we think of as regressive or oppressive. The UN also recognises that violence against women is not only perpetrated by strangers. We know that it comes from intimate partners, from families and from lawfully constituted authorities and those women who are more likely to experience violence generally including transwomen are also more likely to be survivors or tragically not survivors of these embedded, disguised and often hidden attacks. Transwomen are as likely as ciswomen to be attacked in any context because they are women but they are also highly likely as are trans men and non-binary people to be attacked because they are perceived as trans or as gender non-conforming. Domestic abuse in all its forms including coercive control is experienced by many transwomen with transphobia yet another weapon in the abusers armory and transwomen are not only more likely to be in precarious financial situations unemployed or underemployed and in legal limbo regarding their gender status but also to face huge barriers in accessing support and shelter, whether from medical law enforcement or third sector agencies. Those vulnerabilities, those precarities and those barriers are make no mistake the direct result of false and misleading narratives which are still being constructed and disseminated by mainstream media and by elected politicians. Those narratives don't have to be openly transphobic to be deeply damaging to all trans and non-binary people and to many cis women too who do not conform to gatekeepers ideas of what a woman should look and sound like. While lip service is paid to the idea of a genuine trans person the underlying message is that transwomen are intrinsically unsafe and untrustworthy. There is indeed a danger but it is one existing four not created by our trans sisters. The theme of this year's UN Day and the 16 days of action which follow it is UNITE. In closing, my most heartfelt hope during these weeks of our parliamentary business is that we can indeed unite in distinguishing reality from rhetoric and in recognising and combating both particular and structural forms of violence. Thank you. Thank you very much. Miss Chapman before proceeding, as I said earlier there's a lot of interest in this debate and given the number of members who still want to participate I'm minded to accept a motion without notice under rule 8.14.3 to extend the debate by up to 30 minutes and I invite Pam Gosall to move such a motion. Moved Deputy Presiding Officer. The question is that the debate be extended by up to 30 minutes are we all agreed? I call Marie McNair to be followed by Martin Whitfield for around 4 minutes. Thank you, Presiding Officer. A pleasure to follow the speech by Maggie Chapman. I'm pleased to speak in this debate to recognise International Day of Elimination of Violence Against Women on 25 November and the 16 days of activism that follows. The United Nations rightly declare that violence against women and girls is one of the most widespread, recent and devastating human rights violations in our world today. It remains largely unreported due to the impunity, silence, stigma and shame surrounding it. This year the theme of 2022 is Unite Activism to End Violence Against Women and Girls. The theme is clear that supporting and investing in strong autonomous women's rights organizations and feminist movements is key to ending violence against women and girls. In preparation of my contribution and in recognition of the main theme I took time to speak to one of the women's age groups in my constituency. Clybank women's age have been providing emotional and practical support and refuge for women and children and young people subjected to domestic abuse for 41 years. I asked them what they wanted Parliament to know. They are clear that for them dedicated days of action extend beyond 16 days of the year. For women, children and young people who experience abuse they need more than 16 days of action. They live with male violence 365 days of the year some of which will be living with lifelong implications with several others murdered. The reality for women, children and young people remains greatly unchallenged. Unchange with barriers limiting options for women. That women's age point out strongly that we need to make sure enough refuge spaces available for women. This is vital when fleeing domestic abuse and they mean women have no option but to stay. The group are keen that we recognise that the current cost of living crises will impact on a women's ability to flee. Where women are more economically deprived the less financial choices they have available to them. Women deserve specials women's aid services that are underpinned by feminist analyses of domestic abuse and the cost of living crises may impact on this. To support this they call for the Scottish Government to guarantee ring-fenced funding for women's aid network in Scotland. During my 19 years as a councillor I formed a good relationship with Clydebank Women's Aid. They are a strong part of a strong partnership and policy platform that aims to support women and change societal attitudes. As part of this approach Western Barger Council became the first social land lord in Scotland to introduce a zero tolerance policy on domestic abuse within its properties. The council introduced measures which ensure victims have immediate access to practical help and specials legal assistance and support following any instant of domestic abuse. We know that domestic abuse can have a devastating and long-term impact on women's life, and it can result in homelessness, isolation, loss of earnings, physical and mental health problems, injuries and even death. Living with domestic abuse can seriously affect a child's emotional and psychological wellbeing and undermine the relationship with her mother and have other negative consequences. Research by UN Women show that 45% of women reported that they or a woman they know is a form of violence against women and girls. 17 women say that verbal or physical abuse by a partner has become more common. Those statistics are unacceptable. There are a number of welcome initiatives in place that are making a difference and also important legislative changes made by the Domestic Abuse Scotland Act 2018. Those are all important to the aim of eliminating violence against women and girls. However, as the UNIKE campaign points out, it is uniting with groups such as Clybank Women's Aid that will be key to the success of this and silences of women through violence must end. Thank you very much, Mr McNair. I now call Martin Whitfield to be followed by Shan Dowey for around four minutes. I am very grateful, Deputy Presiding Officer, and I first like others extend my thanks to Pam Goswell for bringing this motion before the chamber tonight. It is a very powerful motion and talking of some of the most horrendous activities that happen around the world. I was immediately caught by the statistic that one in three women have experienced violence. As the UNIKE has pointed out, it is probably the most pervasive of human rights violations that occur around the world. That one in three struck me because of debates that I have had the privilege to listen to in the past, because, of course, the 25th of November is the anniversary of the murder of Patrina Minerva and Maria Teresa, the Mirabelle sisters in the Dominican Republic, three sisters who stood up against a dictatorship, who stood up against the violence that was being expressed towards and specifically at women, and three women who paid the ultimate price in their murder, but then the horror of the then dictator and henchman trying to cover it up to make it look like an accident. I recall the powerful words of Minerva who said, if they kill me, I'll reach my arms out from the tomb and I'll be stronger. She was stronger and women are stronger both for this date but also because of the experiences that they have lived through. I want to pick up on Pam Gosall's contribution about the role of education because I am extremely concerned that within our higher education institutions in particular we are failing the women who are victims of sexual violence and gender-based violence so accurately described by Beatrice Wishart earlier and we must do more to prevent sexual assault in all forms and we must support the victims. In January the Scottish Government said that we must support the victims where students study free from sexual harassment and gender-based violence and we do need to see more action on this. But because the 16 days that are coming up talks about work that can be done I would like to highlight Harriet Watts participation in the white ribbon campaign Edinburgh Napier staff who are given pocket-sized cards that can be handed out with information on how to respond to a disclosure of the work that staff and empowering students to come forward with the knowledge they need. The work of the Consent Collective and the University of Edinburgh about how the university community there can start talking about consent talking about sex, gender sexual harassment and relationships using language that is supportive and in a supportive environment and also make mention of the compulsory orientation module at the University of St Andrews to hire students to learn about consent to learn about sexual assault before matriculating. A very important step given the childhood experiences that we've heard of today of the challenges that young children feel and the challenge they have to their own mental health when they see sexual violence around them but I also must pay particular tribute to the work of the Emily Test the project born out of a tragedy that's doing incredible work to tackle gender-based violence and the gender-based violence charter for colleges and universities we need our educational establishments to be safe for everyone and in order to do that we need to make it safe for our women and girls because at the minute it is not and we've heard sufficient evidence in this debate alone to say more must be done I would like to finish harking back to the quote to reach beyond the grave to become stronger with a quote from Councillor Colin McGinn from East Lothian a quote that is recent a quote that speaks to where I think every single man should be and a quote that I would hope we can take forward over the next 16 days from the start it is appalling that in our modern and enlightened times violence against women and girls remains a reality for so many it is not a remote issue it is not something that happens elsewhere to other people that you don't know it is happening right here in East Lothian communities right now Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer Thank you very much, Mr Workfield and now Col Sean Dowey to be followed by Katie Clark for around four minutes, Ms Dowey Thank you, Presiding Officer I'd like to thank my colleague Pam Goswell for securing this important debate I'm dealing with a case where he was given a permanent no contact order he was also given community service probation and counselling no jail time and nothing that had any impact on his behaviour he breached his probation by entering into a relationship with my constituent becoming a step parent to her children it didn't take long before his campaign of abuse escalated and he began throwing the children along hallways grabbing them by their throat or hair and dragging them upstairs by their ears he received a non-harassment order and was told not to contact the mother or children he ignored this getting accomplices to stalk her, break windows in the family home and they had to flee to a safe house but although little to nothing happened to the abuser the trauma continues for the family the experiences they have suffered have changed them the family spoke about how this person's actions affected their children to them it's clear that the domestic violence their children endured severely traumatised them the situation has not improved in her words her son has changed beyond recognition going from a youngster who gave everyone hugs had a great sense of humour and looked out for his younger sister to one who recently attacked and seriously hurt his younger brother the family talked about burying their heads in their hands and crying over what has been taken from them by a serial abuser an abuser who has no remorse and mocks Scotland's justice system while going about his daily business regrettably this family is just one of many in Scotland who are affected by domestic abuse on a daily basis and therefore pleased to see my colleague Pam Goswell's proposal for a domestic abuse register bill violence against women and girls has no place in our society ultimately we want to create a society that eliminates violence against women and girls it is also a responsibility to establish a system that effectively deters and punishes potential abusers and one that unconditionally supports victims and to finish I'd like to touch on the need to support victims of domestic violence Ream of Salem the United Nations special rapporteur on violence against women and girls has written a letter on the GRR bill and she has raised a number of concerns for persons identifying as women the certificate would create a legal presumption that they have the right to access women-only services across Scotland such proposals would potentially open the door for violent males who identify as men to abuse the process failure to provide single sex services to female survivors of male violence leads to self-exclusion from support and refuge services she then says while I commend the Government for listening to the voices of trans women including organisations that represent them I am concerned that the consultations for this proposal do not appear to have been sufficiently inclusive of other groups of women most notably female victims of violence it has been reported that five survivors of male violence approached the Scottish Parliament equalities, human rights and civil justice committee to speak in a private session about their concerns in relation to the bill and their own experiences of self-exclusion the convener reportedly informed the group that the committee did not have the time to see them and put their objections in writing if this Government truly wants to help the victims it needs to listen to all parties when introducing new bills it needs to listen to all points of view and when members of their own party raise concerns with them they need to listen otherwise we will bring in bad law with untold unintended consequences I congratulate Pam Goswell on securing this debate and all who have contributed in this debate which is to recognise and bring focus to the international day which takes place on Friday for the elimination of violence against women and girls and to the 16 days of activism following Friday which run until 10 December human rights day as has been said a number of times in this debate the world health organisation estimate that just under one in three women globally are subjected to partner violence I think perhaps what's more shocking is that that's the similar statistic that exists in Scotland one in three women and girls in Scotland also experience the threat and the reality of physical violence so those are statistics but they're about real people and they're about real women and many of those victims are hidden and I would like to speak about one of those women who's already been referred to by Beatrice Wishall Adrian McCartney whose experience was recounted in an article in the Sunday post by Marian Scott on the 3 October 2021 and Adrian McCartney on that occasion spoke in her own words about a series of failures by the police and the prosecution service that she said had shattered her trust in Scotland's justice system she described an ongoing campaign of abuse and harassment from her estranged husband and she claimed that officers had dismissed her failures for her family's safety eventually her husband was charged and the Crown Office apologised for errors and her husband received a £450 fine more shockingly however Adrian is no longer with us she was found dead as a result of taking prescription drugs that she had been prescribed initially powerful painkillers which she was taking as a result of injuries to her arm which had been injured by her husband in a violent outburst and alcohol or of the very clear view that her death was a direct result of her treatment by the police and prosecution services unfortunately Adrian is only one of many women who recount similar experiences and I think this Parliament and members of this Parliament have to reflect on the fact that despite all of these debates we continue to fail women and girls in Scotland Last week an inquest in England found that the police had made errors which had contributed to the death of Nanim Ude aged 22 and her mother Keola Salim aged 49 in Solihull in 2018 and many of us will have heard Nanim Ude's call to the police asking for help and it was widely circulated in the media I congratulate everybody that's contributed today but I think we all have to reflect that despite these debates the threat that we face is probably getting greater and both Martin Wishaw and Pauline McNeill have spoken about the experiences of girls and young women and we need to reflect over the coming period and particularly during the days of action what we can do to make sure that we truly take the action required to eliminate violence against women and girls in this country and indeed worldwide Thank you very much Ms Clark, I now call Alexander Stewart to be followed by Pam Duncan-Glancy for around four minutes Mr Stewart Thank you Deputy Presiding Officer and can I congratulate my colleague Pam Gossel on securing this member's business debate this evening Every year we mark the start of 16 days of activism against violence against women and girls but this year the focus of the campaign will be on unite to ensure that girls and women are supported it will also promote the leadership for women and girls to increase their participation in democracy around the world initiatives along the lines of ask her to stand campaign have a role to play in this promotion however it is clear to increase the number of women in positions of power there are many risk factors associated with violence against women including poverty, isolation which have been exacerbated during the Covid pandemic and sadly women are already reporting significant increases in violence against them in countries around the world but the sad truth is that Scotland has not been immune from the effects of the pandemic in this regard for we know that Scotland's domestic abuse charges are at a high alarmingly organisations such as Scotland's women's aid and rate crisis Scotland have reported huge increase in demand for their front line services funding is crucial and the need that we have at present when we are going through this cost of living crisis more and more people will be requiring support projects such as Fife Women's Aid and Kingdom Abuse Survivors Project in my own region have received funding in the past but will require more to maintain and sustain their services and I look forward to hearing from the minister giving assurances that these will come forward in the coming months and years many of these organisations will tell you the effects of the pandemic are being felt across the sector we also know that there is a quote backlog of thousands of domestic violence cases of which 55% involve allegations of sexual violence some victims currently have to wait up to three years between reporting their abuse and securing the abuse for coming to court Scotland's women's aid has warned that the risk undergoing and the confidence of women in the justice system and we cannot have it undermined at all women should not be fright fearful of the length of time it's going to take and I hope I'm wrong although I feel I'll be right unless urgent action is taken to tackle that backlog but while this issue is a global one indeed a Scottish one for me it's a personal one my mother herself was subjected to violence from my father for many years and I witnessed that as a young child she accepted this abuse for years and blamed herself before she had the courage to take her three small children out of the situation before she became a cystistic herself but many women and girls do not have that courage to leave their abusive partner and much more needs to be done to support them to have the courage to leave an abusive relationship Presiding Officer a few issues are more deserving of parliamentary time than we are having this evening's debate it's with regret that this debate itself has to take place at all but it has to because we need to speak up we need to make sure that voices are heard that people sit up and listen and I paid tribute to Pam Gosw for the work she's doing on her member's bill and I hope it continues the success that it deserves only through society acting as a whole can we finally eliminate the violence and ensure that women can live without fear wherever they find themselves Thank you Presiding Officer Thank you very much indeed Mr Shew I now call Pam Duncan Glancy for around four minutes Thank you Deputy Presiding Officer and thank you to Pam Gosw for securing this debate it is a sad reality as we approach international day for the elimination of violence against women 2022 that gendered violence is still widespread in Scotland as we've already heard in the chamber today one in three women will experience domestic violence in their lifetime and an average of six rapes are reported a day women are often subjected to gendered violence from an early age with a report from the University of Glasgow revealing that sexual harassment is common in Scotland's secondary schools this is not only deeply upsetting or even traumatising for young girls but it can mean that we have generations growing up doing gender based violence as somehow normal or inevitable we cannot allow this to continue violence against women is an epidemic most women have experienced or know someone who has experienced misogyny, assault or violence at the hands of men and it is particularly prevalent amongst women from minority groups disabled women in the UK are twice as likely to experience gendered violence 83 per cent of trans women have experienced hate crime and ethnic and migrant women face higher levels of domestic homicide and abuse driven suicide every one of us, not just us in this chamber but across our country has the responsibility to do everything we possibly can to end it that means challenging misogyny when we see or hear it rather than looking away as well as educating ourselves and reflecting on our own internalised views and perspectives men in particular have a responsibility to do and be better and the attitudes of men must improve to end the violence this is of course not to say that all men are violent towards women but we need male allies to fight this battle with us it also means tackling relentlessly the inequalities and income power and wealth that drive misogyny too there are countless incredible organisations across Scotland working tirelessly to end gendered violence and support the victims of it and I want to give thanks to them today for their work for the support of the women's aid the Daisy project, Glasgow and Clyde rape crisis wise women and more for all the invaluable work that you do however this vital work is impacted by short term funding arrangements with the funding received by many of these organisations due to end by September 2023 that means they are in a constant cycle of applying for, receiving and then re-applying for funding whilst operating with standstill or reduced funding from the Government or local authority not only does this mean that too much of this organisation's time is consumed with worrying about it, it is distracting from service provision and it's costly violence against women and girls costs over £1.8 billion a year in harm that it causes in Glasgow the cost to the public services and the cost to the wider economy through loss of output however the standing group on violence against women in Glasgow, estimate that properly funding women's services would save £6.5 million to the public purse each year. The Scottish Government has the power and responsibility to ensure that these organisations are funded properly and I hope that it will do so. The Scottish Government and we as a Parliament also have responsibility and authority to act through the creation of legislation to protect women and girls and enshrine their rights in law and I support the recommendations of the Baroness Kennedy report and I welcome the Government's commitment to holding a public consultation prior to introducing a bill to Parliament and a new statutory aggravation of misogyny. However the law alone cannot end violence against women. Much more must be done to challenge the misogyny that has come ingrained in society and institutions. I also therefore support calls in Baroness Kennedy's report for the Government to invest efficient resources in training across the criminal justice system and in front line agencies like schools and colleges to improve technology and police capacity for recording and reporting and in measures to ensure that women and boys understand misogyny. Every one of us has the responsibility to do everything in our power to end violence against women and girls. Let us use this international day for the elimination of violence against women and the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence to redouble our efforts and work to eliminate gender-based violence and inequality once and for all. Thank you. I thank Pam Goswell for bringing the motion recognising the international day for the elimination of violence against women and the vital role that men must play in challenging and eradicating violence against women and girls. I start by picking up on a point that Beatrice Wishart and Katie Clark spoke about, and it is to convey the Scottish Government's condolences to the families of Adrian McCartney. I thank Pam Goswell for bringing the motion recognising the international day for the elimination of violence against women and the 16 days of activism against women and girls. As I said just, we give our condolences to that family, to Adrian, but also it just gives us the reason why we are all here today again at the outset of this debate. We hear about another woman who has died at the hands of a man. I would also want to play a tribute to the women and girls in Iran. In Afghanistan, like Pam Goswell, Michelle Thompson and Beatrice Wishart we look at those women in awe and we send our solidarity and support to them. I thought I would also like to highlight that next week there will be a further opportunity during the wider Scottish Government debate to reflect on what more we can all do to ensure that gender-based violence is tackled head-on. Beatrice Wishart and Paul McNeill say that the root of violence against women is misogyny and we think that we are going to do something against violence against women and we have just heard very eloquently from Pam Duncan Glancy on why we all agree with Baroness Kennedy's report and why that work to bring forward that piece of legislation and those aggravations are incredibly important. The plain fact is that this is not a women's problem this is a men's problem so the men have to step up they must play their role in eradicating this blight in our society. Violence against women and girls is a place in our vision for a safe, strong and successful Scotland and as White Rib in Scotland the campaign to involve men in tackling violence against women say while most men are not violent to women many ignore the problem by simply remaining silent they unwittingly create a conducive context for violence to continue this must stop they must take responsibility and that's why the initiatives that are in Whitfield described by White Rib in Scotland are so welcome and needed and as I look around the chamber today I know in my heart that we all acknowledge that men must recognise that violence against women is a violation of women's fundamental human rights and Maggie Chapman very eloquently gave us many examples in her contribution The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on the 25th of November marks the launch of the 16 days of activism in Scotland over this period we will come together unite many times and at many venues across Scotland including in this Parliament to recognise the work being undertaken day in and day out to tackle and eradicate violence against women we will also talk of the challenges and what more we can do and must do individually and collectively to tackle this failing in society and I know that these are challenging times like the pandemic and the cost crisis that make lives of the victim survivors harder and place enormous pressure on the life saving services on which many rely so let us take this opportunity to reflect on what we still wish to achieve let us do that with openness let us do so with respect and with recognition that others look to all of us to meet the challenges head on but most importantly let us acknowledge differences of opinion not let this be the opportunity for a political point score a seek common ground I know that is the spirit in which this debate has been undertaken today tackling and eradicating violence against women is a key priority for this Government championing this issue is something that I will continue to do it's the thing that I've done since the first year stepped in this building and we will continue to deliver those societal changes needed to ensure every woman and girl in Scotland lives free free from abuse and all the contributions from everyone today that recognises the opportunity to come together with a call for an end to gender based violence but I would go further and say this is something we should be doing daily all of us so I agree with the Clydebank women's aid workers whom Ari McNair spoke with this is not just for the 16 days it's for every day and we will do all we can around about funding we currently have an independent review on going right now that's looking at the flanscape for women's services across Scotland to make them more sustainable and to make sure that they've got the strength to carry on and if you've not seen it yet please go and look at the six month report from the delivery and equally safe fund you will be inspired, motivated and hopefully you will see some of the difference that these organisations are making especially when they take an intersectional approach to their work so I met with COSLA and other key partners to look again at our equally safe strategy and how we can galvanise and collaborate working with key partners as always I am more than happy to speak with members about the development of the equally safe and I'm also aware of the ideas by many in this Parliament many this evening of what we need to do to make a difference here influence policy and influence our approach those with lived experience must form the backbone of our policy development as Carol Morgan says we must amplify their voices equally I consider the need to look at how young people are embedded within our discussion and are better allowed to play their part in developing solutions to the challenges that we save so Pam Duncan Gladyson and Pauline McNeill spoke of schools and I hope they will be interested in the work of the gender equality task force in education and learning so please have a look at that and I would also pay tribute for every opportunity I ever get to pay tribute to Fiona Drude and Emily Tess my door is and will continue to be open to listen to any initiatives that further the collective aspiration just as I am prepared to respond to constructive criticism around what we could be doing better so I await the details of Pam Gozel's proposal with interest she knows this we have discussed it before my conclusion this evening's debate has highlighted yet again what this Parliament does so well the ability of members on all sides of the chamber to come together in solidarity and with a renewed commitment to tackle violence against women and girls I acknowledge the appetite for further action to tackle the root causes I renew my offer to listen to any views and ideas about how that might be achieved many have been articulated tonight what is important is that we all leave here really in mind and that we as politicians work together and lead by examples like many speakers I would also take the time to pay tribute to the front line organisations the survivors and campaigners of violence against women and girls both here and globally as we approach the 16 days of activism we rightly recognise the 16 days of activism that this is a daily fight that we must win so in the spirit of the women and girls in Iran unite in their cry freedom thank you thank you very much indeed minister that concludes the debate and I close this meeting of parliament