Domestic abuse sentences let women down

Answers received by David McLetchie MSP in response to Parliamentary Questions have revealed that more than 34% of those convicted of domestic abuse in 2010/11 are admonished in court.

In addition, only 12% of those convicted are given a custodial sentence, of whom 80% are given short-term sentences of less than 6 months which the Scottish Government wants to abolish.

Scottish Conservative Justice Spokesman, David McLetchie MSP said:

"Zero tolerance of domestic abuse is being let down by zero sentencing. Many women will question whether we are taking violence against women seriously, when many of the perpetrators of this violence are being let off so lightly. The fact that more than a third of those convicted are only admonished in court is appalling and letting women down.

"Only 12% of cases resulted in prison sentences and the majority of those sent to jail were given short term sentences which the SNP Government is trying to abolish.

"This would mean even fewer criminals sent to jail.

"It is wrong that we have women trapped in a vicious cycle of abuse who are given no assistance by a criminal justice system which puts their abusers back in their homes. If we are to restore confidence in the system we must start by properly punishing those who carry out such attacks."

Back to all posts