Policy consultation responses
In this section you will find our responses to policy consultations from the UK and Scottish Governments, as well as other third sector organisations.
Response to Scottish Parliament petition on support available to victims of violence forced to flee their home
Filename: SWRC-PE2025-response.pdf | File size: 116KB
Consultation Response on Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Bill
SWRC Consultation Response on Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Bill
Filename: Abortion-Services-Safe-Access-Zones-Bill-SWRC-response-final.pdf | File size: 324KBEconomic abuse: SWRC recommendations for improving systemic responses
Filename: Economic-Abuse-recommendations-November-2023.docx.pdf | File size: 90KB
Consultation Response on Victims, Witnesses and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill
Filename: 230907-Victims-Bill-consultation---final---with-references-EL.pdf | File size: 259KB
Consultation on victims of domestic abuse and third party tracing organisations
Filename: SWRC--Response-ICO-consultation-tracing-agents-.pdf | File size: 194KB
Consultation response on reforming criminal law to address misogyny
Filename: 230623-SWRC-Misogyny-Consultation-Response-submitted.pdf | File size: 300KB
Consultation Response on the Proposed Domestic Abuse (Protection) (Scotland) Bill
We do not support the creation of a register for those convicted of domestic abuse related offences at this time in the proposed format. We would echo the concerns that have been raised by our sister organisation Scottish Women’s Aid, there is not sufficient evidence to support the effectiveness of this approach in reducing or preventing offending. The consultation document does not reference the disclosure scheme that already exists and is operated by Police Scotland and we submit an analysis of this scheme would be necessary in any proposals of this nature.
Filename: 1669211345_Consultation-on-the-proposed-Domestic-Abuse-Protection-Scotland-Bill.pdf | File size: 118KB | Tags: laws/bills
Consultation Response on Police Complaints
The SWRC strongly agree with the recommendation made by Dame Elish Angiolini that there should be a statutory requirement for Police Scotland to adopt a statutory code of ethics. We see that this would strengthen the existing code of ethics and centre the principles of this at the heart of police duties and ethos. The existing code does not have this requirement in law and making it a statutory necessity would serve to place the importance of ethics in the culture, practice and policy of Police Scotland.
Filename: Consultation-Response-on-Police-Complaints.pdf | File size: 211KB | Tags: laws/bills
Consultation on Witchcraft Convictions (Pardons) (Scotland) Bill
In this response, we are supportive of the proposed Bill to pardon those convicted of witchcraft in Scotland. We support efforts to name our common history and redress wrongs because only by sharing a wide public understanding of the roots of misogyny, can we work effectively now to make the changes that needs to happen for women today.
Filename: 1664883718_Consultation---Witchcraft-Convctions-Pardons-Scotland-Bill.pdf | File size: 133KB | Tags: laws/bills
Consultation on Safe Access Zones
In this response, we welcome the opportunity to respond to this consultation and we have done so by drawing on our practical experience and expertise in providing legal advice and representation to self-identifying women affected by gender-based violence, particularly domestic abuse.
Filename: Consultation-Response-on-Safe-Access-Zones.pdf | File size: 295KB
Consultation on Regulation of Child Contact Centres
We welcome the opportunity to respond to this consultation and we have done so by drawing on our practical experience and expertise in providing legal advice and representation to women affected by gender-based violence, particularly domestic abuse, and from our experiences working with victims/survivors/women in child contact matters.
Filename: SWRC-Child-Contact-Centre-Consultation-response-final.pdf | File size: 818KB | Tags: children-and-young-people
Consultation on Registers of Child Welfare Reporters, Curators ad litem and Solicitors
Child Welfare Reporters play an incredibly important part in the child contact process, with, at the moment, very little clarity over their recruitment, training or quality assurance. We strongly believe that a new set of arrangements should be put in place to manage the recruitment, appointment, training, administration and regulation of Child Welfare Reporters, as is currently being consulted on.
Filename: SWRC-CWR-curator-ad-litem-and-solicitors-consultation-response-final.pdf | File size: 845KB | Tags: children-and-young-people
Consultation on changes to the Code of Conduct for Members of the Scottish Parliament
In this response we state our broad support for the changes to the the Scottish Parliament Code of Conduct proposed by the Joint Working Group on Sexual Harassment and Sexist Behaviour.
Filename: MSPs-Code-of-Conduct-Consultation--SWRC-Response-Jan-2021.pdf | File size: 540KB | Tags: government
Domestic Abuse (Protection) (Scotland) Bill - call for evidence
In our response, we welcome the proposal to increase protections for victims/survivors of domestic abuse, an issue that has always been prevalent for women, but which has sharply increased as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. We make recommendations to ensure the proposed protections are consistent with existing legal measures and that they work as intended.
Filename: Domestic-Abuse-Protection-Scotland-Bill-SWRC-response.pdf | File size: 567KB | Tags: domestic-abuse
Supporting Individuals who have No Recourse to Public Funds - written evidence
We firmly believe that NRPF is a harmful policy that is putting the lives of migrants across Scotland at risk. Jointly with JustRight Scotland we have submitted written evidence on this matter to the Scottish Parliament's Local Government and Communities Committee.
Filename: JRS-SWRC-NRPF-Covid-Evidence-FINAL.pdf | File size: 224KB | Tags: nrpf
Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme Review 2020 consultation - joint response
JustRight Scotland and the SWRC solicitors provide direct legal advice and representation in making applications under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme (the “Scheme”) for victims/survivors of gender-based violence, including sexual offences, and for survivors of trafficking, including migrants, refugees and asylum seekers. Our written evidence below is drawn from our direct frontline experience working with these particular client groups, primarily women and child applicants, to frame successful applications under the Scheme.
Filename: CICS-Review-2020-Consultation-JRS-SWRC-joint-response.pdf | File size: 471KB | Tags: police-and-criminal
Support in the workplace for survivors of domestic abuse - call for evidence
Our response to the consultation on “Support in the workplace for survivors of domestic abuse” has been informed by the lived experiences of women who contact our service through our helplines, legal surgeries and legal representation. We have specifically taken the views of three women whom have experienced domestic abuse and disclosed to their employers.
Filename: 1599732262_Workplace-law-and-domestic-abuse-SWRC-response-final.pdf | File size: 555KB | Tags: domestic-abuse
Independent review of complaints handling, investigations and misconduct issues in relation to policing - further evidence
In March 2019, the SWRC submitted a response to the call for evidence on Police Complaints Handling, Investigations and Misconduct Issues. Since then, we have continued to provide support to survivors of Gender Based Violence to submit complaints to Police Scotland and to the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC). Since then, additional aspects of the process have been brought to our attention and we have sought further feedback from women who have engaged with the complaints process. In this document we discuss the experiences of women with the complaints process and complaints outcomes, and we provide further recommendations for improvment.
Filename: Review-of-police-complaints-handling-further-evidence-final.pdf | File size: 488KB | Tags: police-and-criminal
Sexual harassment in the workplace
Response to the UK government's consultation on sexual harassment in the workplace.
Filename: Sexual-harassment-in-the-workplace-SWRC-response-FINAL.pdf | File size: 250KB | Tags: workplace
Proposed Stalking Protection (Scotland) Bill
Response to the Scottish Government’s consultation on a proposed Stalking Protection (Scotland) Bill. Submitted on: 21/07/2019.
Filename: Stalking-Bill-Consultation-response-final.pdf | File size: 656KB | Tags: laws/bills
Confidentiality Clauses: Consultation on measures to prevent misuse in situations of workplace harassment or discrimination
Our response to the UK Government's consultation on confidentiality clauses and measures to prevent misuse in situations of workplace harassment or discrimination. Submitted on: 07/05/2019.
Filename: SWRC-Confidentiality-Clauses-Consultation-Response.pdf | File size: 326KB | Tags: workplace
Protective Orders for People at Risk of Domestic Abuse
Response to the Scottish Government Consultation on Protective Orders for People at Risk of Domestic Abuse. Submitted on: 05/04/2019.
Filename: 20190329PO-Consultation-Response-Final.pdf | File size: 556KB | Tags: domestic-abuse
Improving Multi-Agency Risk Assessment and interventions for victims of domestic abuse
Response from the Scottish Women's Rights Centre to the Scottish Government’s consultation on improving Multi-Agency Risk Assessment and interventions for victims of domestic abuse. Submitted on: 01/04/2019.
Filename: SWRC-MARAC-Consultation-Response.pdf | File size: 451KB | Tags: domestic-abuse
Evidence on Police Complaints Handling, Investigations and Misconduct Issues
Response from the Scottish Women's Rights Centre to the Scottish Government's call for evidence for Dame Elish Angiolini’s Independent Review on Complaints Handling, Investigations and Misconduct Issues in relation to Policing. Submitted on: 13/03/2019.
Filename: Police-Complaints-Handling-SWRC-Response.pdf | File size: 324KB | Tags: police-and-criminal
Review of Part 1 of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995
Response to Scottish Governement call for consultations on reforming Part 1 of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995, using evidence and testimonies from women with experience of the child contact system. Submitted on: 27/09/2018.
Filename: Final-Draft-Children-Scotland-Act-for-web2.pdf | File size: 1135KB | Tags: children-and-young-people
Evidence on civil actions for damages in respect of rape or other serious crimes
Response from the Scottish Women's Rights Centre to the Justice Committee in the Scottish Parliament's call for evidence on civil actions for damages in respect of rape or other serious crimes.
Filename: SWRC-Evidence-to-Justice-Committee.pdf | File size: 145KB | Tags: police-and-criminal
Evidence on the protection of workers from sexual harassment and creating positive cultural change
Evidence submitted by the Scottish Women’s Rights Centre to the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee at the Scottish Parliament on the protection of workers from sexual harassment, and campaigns and initiatives that succeed in bringing about positive cultural change in the workplace.
Pre-Recording Evidence of Child and Other Vulnerable Witnesses
Read our response to the Scottish Government's consultation on Pre-Recording Evidence of Child and Other Vulnerable Witnesses submitted 30/09/17.
Filename: Children-and-Vulnerable-Witnesses-Consultation-Response.pdf | File size: 60KB | Tags: children-and-young-people
Equally Safe - Consultation on the Draft Delivery Plan
Read our response to the Scottish Government's consultation on the draft delivery plan for Equally Safe. Submitted on: 29/06/17.
Filename: Equally-Safe-Consultation-SWRC.pdf | File size: 172KB | Tags: domestic-abuse
