Scottish Green MSP Maggie Chapman has lodged proposals to expand the definition of domestic abuse to protect more women and children who are facing homelessness.
The proposal will be considered as an amendment to the upcoming Housing (Scotland) Bill.
Ms Chapman believes that the Scottish Government’s current definition within the context of this bill is not broad enough to offer the necessary protections, only covering violent, threatening and intimidating conduct.
The expanded definition that Ms Chapman is calling for would see controlling, coercive, and degrading behaviour included within the definition – a change that charity organisation Scottish Women’s Aid has long called for.
Ms Chapman said:
“Women might feel unable to leave a violent and abusive relationship for fear of ending up homeless, and that sense of feeling trapped only increases when there are children involved in the process.
“This bill must work to enhance the support we offer women and children, so that they are better protected and able to flee from abuse, without fear of being left homeless or placed in unsuitable and unsafe accommodation due to their experience of abuse not matching the government’s definition.
“By expanding the definition of domestic abuse, we can help to resolve that fear and create a more hopeful future for women and their families who are rebuilding their lives.”
Ms Chapman has also lodged an amendment that would force the Scottish Government to implement the findings of their December 2020 report on improving housing outcomes for women and children experiencing domestic abuse.
The actions called for in the report include: improving how homelessness due to domestic abuse appears in statistics, developing a Housing First pathway for women experiencing domestic abuse, and developing a timetable to implement the Ending Homelessness Together action plan that will ensure the homelessness system meets the needs of diverse groups of women.
Ms Chapman said:
“There are groups who have been waiting years for the findings of this report to be put into action.
“My proposal will bring them forward and help ensure that women and children experiencing domestic abuse are provided with the right services, with the right support and regular reviews to ensure that progress is being made.”
