CROWN OFFICE AND PROCURATOR FISCAL SERVICE
PRESS RELEASE
19 June 2009
LORD ADVOCATE REPRESENTS UK AT EUROPEAN CONFERENCE
ON TACKLING DOMESTIC ABUSE
The Lord Advocate, the Right Honourable Elish Angiolini QC, is attending on behalf of the UK at the 29th Council of Europe Conference of the Ministers of Justice, which is being held in Norway.
This year's conference, entitled "Breaking the Silence - United Against Domestic Violence", will explore ways to combat domestic abuse and aims to develop a common approach across Europe to supporting and empowering victims.
Mrs Angiolini said:
"I am delighted to have the opportunity to work with colleagues across Europe in tackling this most insidious of crimes.
"The countries of the Council of Europe are united by a commitment to being free and civilised societies in which all people are able to flourish together with their families. Domestic abuse has no place there.
"These crimes hide behind a silence built by intimidation and fear. For victims, the home becomes a prison and all the family suffers. In Scotland, we are commited to stopping the perpetrators and helping the victims of domestic abuse free themselves to live happy and fulfilling lives.
"We look forward to sharing our experiences and to learning from the approaches of others to continue to send a message to perpetrators that domestic abuse will not be tolerated."
Notes to editors:
- Further information on the 29th Council of Europe Conference of the Ministers of Justice, which is being held in Tromso, Norway, can be found at the website of the Council of Europe at
www.coe.int
2. All the Ministers of Justice of the Council of Europe's 47 member states have been invited to attend. The Lord Advocate is the only representative from the United Kingdom. The Ministers will discuss improving European co-operation towards the issue of domestic violence and to developing a common approach aimed at empowering the victim. Resolutions on the matters discussed will be adopted by the conference.
3. The conference will be addressed by the Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe, the Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations, the Minister of Justice of the Kingdom of Norway, The Minister of Justice of Slovenia on behalf of the Slovenian Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, a representative of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, the Minister of Justice of the Czech Republic on behalf of the Czech Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations and the Director General of Human Rights and Legal Affairs, the Council of Europe.
4. The conference will open a forum for exchange of views on these issues and identify areas where further efforts are needed to tackle this problem in Europe. The Ministers of Justice will discuss ways to combat domestic violence by identifying the problems and developing and promoting a common approach to breaking the silence and supporting and empowering the victims.
5. The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) has a robust prosecution policy in relation to any crimes of domestic abuse. Offenders are remanded by the police in custody so that they can be dealt with by the Procurator Fiscal the next day. Where there is sufficient evidence and the case involves violence, there is a presumption of prosecution in court before a Sheriff.
6. Where appropriate, bail will be opposed by the Procurator Fiscal or suitable bail conditions sought in order to protect the victim. All victims receive the support of the COPFS Victim Information and Advice (VIA) service.
7. As part of the ongoing commitment to tackle domestic abuse, a specialist Domestic Abuse Unit was recently set up in Glasgow.
Contact: Communications 0844 561 3988
Internet:
www.copfs.gov.uk