News/Blog
Gender, Justice and Legal Aid in Scotland
Scottish Women’s Rights Centre comments on the Law Society’s research on The Financial Health of Legal Aid Firms in Scotland
A gap exists in Scotland between women experiencing violence or abuse, and access to justice. The Scottish Women’s Rights Centre (SWRC) is a unique collaborative project that exists because of – and works to try and bridge – this gap, working with and supporting women to achieve justice through legal advice, representation and advocacy. We are funded by the Scottish Government and the Scottish Legal Aid Board.
The SWRC recognises that legal aid is a critical piece in the complex jigsaw puzzle that makes up justice in Scotland. The diagnosis from the most recent health check of legal aid by the Law Society is of pressing concern.
Scotland's new Domestic Abuse Bill is published
The Scottish Women’s Rights Centre welcomes the launch of Scotland’s new
Domestic Abuse Bill.
At the moment, there is a significant gap between criminal justice responses to
and the evidence and experience of women who are subject to domestic abuse.
Without legislation that encompasses and criminalises the broad range of
abusive tactics perpetrators use against victims, including psychological,
emotional, financial, sexual and physical abuse, women are too often left
vulnerable, unsupported by the legal framework and unable to access justice.
'I just froze'
Rape Crisis Scotland yesterday (7th March) launched a powerful and creative campaign set to challenge and change common misconceptions that there is a right or wrong way for people to react during or after a rape.
The campaign launches just ahead of the introduction of judicial directions in sexual offence cases on the issue of lack of physical resistance and delayed reporting to the police.
The new directions mean that from April under the Abusive Behaviour and Sexual Harm Bill judges in Scotland will be required to tell jurors where relevant that many people do not physically resist when subject to a violent or sexual assault, instead they might freeze. Additionally, where relevant judges will tell jurors that there can be good reason why a person may not report rape immediately.
These directions are a significant and necessary step forward in challenging and changing the myths which can prevent women from having the confidence to report rape or sexual abuse.
The Scottish Women’s Rights Centre welcomes both the new judicial directions and the creativity of Rape Crisis Scotland in campaigning for improved responses to victim-survivors of rape across Scotland.
Legal Aid review announced
"The Scottish Women's Rights Centre welcome news of an independent review into legal aid in Scotland, and in particular the recognition of legal aid as vital in helping to achieve access to justice.
The importance of legal aid cannot be understated, and we look forward to engaging with the review to promote justice for women."
Read the Minister's full statement announcing the review here.
Scotland's first civil action case for damages for rape
Rape Crisis Scotland hails landmark ruling in Scotland's first civil action case for damages for rape stating "this is a landmark case that broadens access to justice in Scotland".
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