Scottish Government Debate: Uniting Local and National Efforts Across Sectors to End Violence Against Women and Girls

Shirley-Anne Somerville S6M-19970 That the Parliament unites in its commitment to 2025’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign; warns that digital violence is the fastest growing form of abuse against women and girls worldwide; highlights the UN Women campaign, “UNiTE to End Digital Violence against All Women and Girls”, which reminds everyone that digital safety is central to gender equality; recognises that protecting women and girls online will take concerted societal action from all spheres of government, tech companies, organisations, institutions and individuals, and commits to strengthening efforts to prevent violence against women and girls across all sectors and in all its forms. Further details available for S6M-19970 Tess White S6M-19970.2 As an amendment to motion S6M-19970 in the name of Shirley-Anne Somerville (Uniting Local and National Efforts Across Sectors to End Violence Against Women and Girls), insert at end "; recognises, however, that violence against women and girls takes place both online and offline, and that clear action is needed from the Scottish Government to tackle it; emphasises that reported crimes against women and girls in Scotland are rising; welcomes Dr Pam Gosal MBE MSP’s Prevention of Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Bill, which, if passed, will tackle violence against women; questions the lack of Scottish Government support and legislative deliverance to tackle violence against women and girls; urges all public bodies to ensure that they are following the Supreme Court’s judgment on the definition of 'sex'; raises concern about the reports of grooming gangs in Scotland, and calls, therefore, on the Scottish Government to urgently establish an inquiry to understand the extent of the abuse and the action necessary to tackle it." Further details available for S6M-19970.2