SNP 'no plan' to tackle domestic abuse rises

SCOTTISH Labour has accused the SNP of having “no plan” to tackle domestic abuse, despite soaring levels of crime.

- ROSS THOMSON

Figures released in December show 453 of the 897 people convicted under the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act were given a community payback order, while just 162 were handed a custodial sentence.

That figure included 33 people given an extended sentence, usually handed out to more serious offenders and includes a period of supervision after release.

Another 61 received an admonition from the judge in their case, and 18 suffered no punishment, an overview of sentencing outcomes shows.

Sentencing is the responsibility of independent judges in Scotland, but Scottish Labour’s Pauline McNeill, right, accused the Government of having “no plan” to deal with increasing reports of domestic violence.

The SNP has repeatedly pointed to the Caledonian System as a key part of its plan to tackle domestic abuse, with ministers lauding its effectiveness and describing it as a “priority”.

Devastated

However, in a parliamentary question SNP Minister Siobhian Brown admitted just 201 men completed the programme in 2024/25 - a small fraction of perpetrators.

Ms McNeill said: “Levels of domestic abuse in Scotland have soared in recent years but the SNP has no plan to tackle this crisis. The SNP’s soft-touch approach to justice is allowing abusers to dodge jail and avoid rehabilitation.