Victims of crime and their families are urging Scottish First Minister John Swinney to tighten bail conditions for men accused of attacking women and to abandon plans for the earlier release of long-term prisoners. The plea comes amid growing concerns that current justice policies may be contributing to an increase in violence against women.
Sean Hunter, whose sister Stacy Hunter was murdered by her husband while he was on bail for assaulting her, stated that immediate changes to bail conditions are necessary to prevent further victims. He also suggested the implementation of a register for domestic violence perpetrators to raise public awareness.
Liz Shanks, who endured a three-year campaign of abuse, criticized Scotland's justice system as overly lenient towards perpetrators, arguing that victims are not given adequate consideration. She specifically called for the scrapping of proposals that would allow long-term prisoners, including sex offenders and domestic abusers, to be released after serving two-thirds of their sentence.
In response to these concerns, Swinney reiterated his commitment to tackling the 'epidemic of violence against women and girls' and announced that regulations for GPS monitoring of individuals on bail, including those suspected of domestic abuse, will be introduced before the October parliamentary recess. A pilot program is planned for Tayside, central Scotland, and Fife next year. He also stated that a new sexual offenses court will be established within the next financial year.
However, Swinney maintained that bail decisions are primarily matters for the judiciary, noting that existing legislation provides a comprehensive bail test for judges to apply. "Bail conditions... are fundamentally issues for the judiciary to determine independently," he said, adding that previous legislation already establishes a "comprehensive bail test" for judges.
Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay, who organized a summit on the issue, reported hearing "horrific accounts" from victims and their families, stating that the justice system too often fails those it should protect. He condemned the bail system and urged Swinney to withdraw the proposal for automatic early release for long-term prisoners, citing public safety concerns raised by judges.
SNP MSP David Linden acknowledged that reforms to bail introduced in 2023 have raised concerns among police officers and expressed reservations about the effectiveness of GPS monitoring, suggesting it might create a "false sense of security."
Victim Support Scotland, represented by Carol Eden, head of communications and external affairs, emphasized the need for enhanced measures to protect women subjected to domestic violence. Eden called for strengthening risk assessments and incorporating victim feedback, stating that proposals for prisoner release must give equal weight to victim safety. Victim Support Scotland will continue to advocate for victim safety and lived experience to be integral to risk assessments and new proposals.